Kaopuiki v. Kealoha - punitive damages and drunk driving
Personal Injury News Items
The lead case on the recovery of punitive damages for drunk driving in Hawaii is the case of Kaopuiki v. Kealoha, 104 Hawai'i 241, 87 P.3d 910 (Hawai'i App. 2003). In that case a drunk driver died in the head-on car crash which he caused by crossing the center line - an accident which also injured others. In that case the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals recognized a new purpose for the recovery of punitive damages - "facilitating the recovery of a plaintiff's attorneys fees". On this basis the Hawaii court found that punitive damages could be recovered not only against a drunk driver but even against a deceased drunk driver's estate.
Moving a flagpole near live electrical wires can be very dangerous. A Grayson County, Texas jury has awarded more than $15.6 million to the families of 3 victims of an accident that occurred while they were moving a flagpole in May 2017. The electrocution killed 1 and injured 2. The property manager of the apartment complex where the flagpole was located was found to be negligent for placing the flag pole too close to overhead power lines. See, An award of $15.6 million for 3 victims of electrocution.
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