Section 25 Punitive Damages in Contribution Action

• Library: Damages 2012

In J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 52 F. Supp. 2d 1084, 1086 (E.D. Mo. 1999), one tortfeasor settled with the plaintiff and filed a separate contribution action against the automobile manufacturer to recover a portion of the settlement paid to
the plaintiff. In its claim for contribution, the settling tortfeasor sought the recovery of punitive damages against the automobile manufacturer. The court held that a claim for punitive damages required an underlying tort...