Tyler v. Philadelphia Ritz-Carlton Co.
Tyler v. Philadelphia Ritz-Carlton Co.
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
The verdict of the jury was sustained in a former appeal in this case, 73 Pa. Superior Ct. 427. The question raised in the present appeal is whether exemplary damages should have been allowed, the appellant contending that the evidence does not support such a verdict.
The testimony presented by the plaintiff at the trial tended to show that he was arrested by the defendant’s special officer under circumstances' of insult, indignity and maliciousness. The jury might have found, under that evidence, that the officer was actuated by a malicious disposition, or that he was moved by personal feeling and acted oppressively, without justification by anything done by the plaintiff. If he used the language attributed to him by the witnesses, and “practically dragged” the plaintiff out of the lobby when he was offer
In a consideration of .the question presented, the plaintiff is entitled to the benefit of all the facts which may have been found by the jury, and the reasonable presumption arising therefrom; and although there was evidence offered by the defendant contradictory to the case as presented by the plaintiff, the jury alone could determine the credibility of the witnesses. A careful examination of the evidence convinces us that there was testimony which would support a verdict for exemplary damages. It follows that the judgment should be sustained.
The appeal is dismissed and the judgment affirmed.
Reference
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- Tyler v. Philadelphia Ritz-Carlton Company
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- Syllabus
- Trespass — Malicious prosecution — JSxempla/ry damages — Question for jury. In an action of trespass to recover damages for malicious prosecution, the question of exemplary damages is for the jury, where the evidence is that the plaintiff was arrested by the defendant’s special officer under circumstances of insult, indignity and maliciousness. The jury in such a case is not confined to the actual damage sustained, but may go further, if there are circumstances of aggravation or outrage. If the act be wilfully and maliciously done or if, in the absence of malice, it was committed under circumstances of oppression, outrage or recklessness, the rule is that exemplary damages may be awarded.