Cellisa E. Gamble, Plaintiff v. Kevin D. Stevenson, Thomas Brothers Construction Company and Southern Bell Telephone…

Summary

The court affirmed a verdict awarding actual and punitive damages against Southern Bell arising from the removal and prolonged absence of a stop sign during telephone-line work. It held that agency, the applicability of the vandalism statute, and the plaintiff's standing were properly resolved or submitted, and that the punitive-damages award satisfied due process and equal protection. The court also announced required factors and findings for post-trial review of punitive-damages awards.