Section 25 Condition Precedent to Other Relief

• Library: Damages 2012

A judgment for nominal damages may be crucial as a condition precedent to the awarding of costs and attorney fees and an award of punitive damages. Curd v. Reaban, 232 S.W.2d 389 (Mo. 1950); Stroud v. Masek, 262 S.W.2d 47 (Mo. 1953); Thornbrugh v. Poulin, 679 S.W.2d 416 (Mo. App. S.D. 1984); Williams v. Williams,
99 S.W.3d 552, 556 (Mo. App. W.D. 2003) (no punitive damages can be awarded without an award of actual or nominal damages). Importantly, when the jury awards a plaintiff punitive damages without...