Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Date: 02-17-1999
Case Style: Kevin Wilson v. IBP, Inc. and Diane Arndt
Case Number: 97-971
Judge: James M. Richardson
Court: District Court, Pottawattamie County, Iowa
Plaintiff's Attorney: David L. Brown of Hansen, McClintock & Riley, Des Moines, and Randall J. Shanks, Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Defendant's Attorney: Wade R. Hauser and H. Richard Smith of Ahlers, Cooney, Dorweiler, Haynie, Smith & Albee, P.C., Des Moines, Iowa, and Margaret C. Callahan of Belin Lamson McCormick Zumbach Flynn, A P.C., Des Moines, Iowa.
Description: Defamation - An injured former employee sued his employer and the employer's nurse for defamation when the company nurse told employee's examining physician that the employee was faking his injury, and that the company had video proof. The company had no video proof.
Outcome: Plaintiff's verdict for $4,000.00 in compensatory damages and $15 million in punitive damages.
Plaintiff's Experts: Unknown
Defendant's Experts: Unknown
Comments: The Supreme Court modified punitive damages award to $2 million, with interest running from the date of the jury verdict. See: 589 N.W.2d 729 (Iowa 1999). Note: The above date reflects the appellate court decision date, not the original trial date. Reported by dss.