General Chemical Corporation, Petitioner v. Gonzalo De La Lastra and Amada De La Lastra

Summary

The Texas Supreme Court held that state law governs the wrongful‑death and punitive‑damage claims because General Chemical waived the application of general maritime law, and that the punitive‑damage award must be reduced to $8 million because the parents’ wrongful‑death recovery cannot be counted in the statutory four‑to‑one ratio and such recovery is barred by the Texas Constitution. The court affirmed the actual‑damage award and reversed and remanded on punitive damages. Justice Hecht filed a concurring‑dissent arguing that no punitive damages are supported by the evidence, and Justice Cornyn filed a separate concurrence.