Supreme Court of South Carolina
Ralph v. McLaughlin
March 17, 2021
Summary
The South Carolina Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals, reinstating the jury's $1,000 nominal damages verdict. It held that the respondents were not an aggrieved party to appeal the denial of a directed verdict on trespass, that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying post‑trial motions, and that the trial court correctly granted a directed verdict on punitive damages. The Court declined to address the respondents' alleged ownership interest in the abandoned easement.