Texas Supreme Court

Twin City Fire Insurance Company, Petitioner v. Faith D. Davis, Respondent

September 14, 1995904 S.W.2d 663

Summary

The Texas Supreme Court held that a workers' compensation claimant must obtain a jury finding of damages beyond the policy benefits wrongfully withheld to recover punitive damages, reversing the appellate court's award of punitive damages. The Court affirmed the judgment for the actual benefits, statutory penalty, interest, and attorney's fees. Justice Spector dissented, arguing that the withheld benefits constitute tort damages supporting punitive damages. The dissent is noted in the summary.