James v. Powell

20 A.D.2d 689, 246 N.Y.S.2d 998, 1964 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 4453

Opinion

Judgment in favor of plaintiff unanimously reversed, on the law, on the facts and in the exercise of discretion, the verdict vacated and a new trial granted, with costs to defendant-appellant, unless plaintiff stipulates to accept, in lieu of the award by verdict, $11,590 as compensatory damages and $35,000 as punitive damages, in which event, the judgment is modified to that extent and as so modified, affirmed, with costs to defendant-appellant. In this libel action, it is evident that the jury verdict is grossly excessive in the award for punitive damages and that a verdict in excess of $35,000 for such damages is not warranted by the record. Settle order on notice. Concur — Botein, P. J., Breitel, Valente, McNally and Bastow, JJ.