October 25th, 2013
Petitioner Hess Oil Company ("Hess") appeals the court's May 1, 2012 "Order Addressing AIG Post-Trial Motions" in which the court reduced the jury's punitive damage award against AIG from $53 million to $25 million, based largely on the court's finding that AIG's actions lacked "actual evil intent," therefore preventing the court from exceeding the 5:1 ratio for punitive to compensatory damages. The jury awarded Hess $5 million in compensatory damages, which was not disturbed by the court. Justice Davis disqualified. Senior Status Justice McHugh sitting by temporary assignment.
