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The punishment didn't fit the tort
WASHINGTON-The Supreme Court has overturned a "grossly excessive" punitive award, much to the dismay of an Alabama oncologist.
A jury had given Dr. Ira Gore Jr. of Birmingham $4,000 in compensation and $4 million in punitive damages-later reduced to $2 million-over a shoddy paint job on his new 1990 BMW 535i. BMW hadn't told Dr. Gore about the touch-up that was needed to remedy damage during shipment. The Supreme Court, citing the "degree of reprehensibility," found the award tantamount to a severe criminal penalty.
The 5-to-4 decision marked the first time the court had ever reversed a state decision on punitive damages. -Mark Bloom
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