Belle Glade Chevrolet-Cadillac Buick Pontiac Oldsmobile, Inc. v. Figgie

This appeal concerns punitive damages awarded for a defective Jaguar automobile purchased by the plaintiff, Benjamin Fig-gie, from the defendant, Belle Glade Chevrolet Cadillac Buick Pontiac Oldsmobile, Inc. (Belle Glade). Belle Glade appeals the trial court’s final judgment awarding the plaintiff $11,472.50 in compensatory damages for fraud and $100,000 in punitive damages. Plaintiff cross-appeals the court’s refusal to apply a multiplier to his attorney’s fee award. Because we reverse the punitive award due to improper jury instructions, the cross-appeal is rendered moot.

On January 13,…