Case Updates
Outcome
November 01, 2007
Because it found no actual damages, the Fourteenth Court of Appeals for the State of Texas vacated the $86 million punitive damages award.
NCLC files amicus brief addressing punitive damages liability for business disputes under Texas law
October 16, 2006
NCLC filed an amicus brief urging the Texas Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court’s ruling which upheld an $86 million punitive damages award over the failure of a mechanical component designed by the defendant but produced by the plaintiff. In its brief, NCLC argued that Texas law does not permit punitive damages awards in basic business litigation, unless truly reprehensible conduct is proven. Canvassing Texas law on punitive damages, NCLC explained that neither the governing statute nor Texas’ large body of punitive damages case law permitted such a result and that punitive damages awards should only be employed to punish truly reprehensible conduct.