Texas Supreme Court
Thomas O. Bennett, Jr., and James B. Bonham Corp., Petitioners v. Randy Reynolds, Respondent
June 25, 201053 Tex. Sup. Ct. J. 883
Summary
The Texas Supreme Court affirmed the lower courts' findings that exemplary damages are permissible against both Thomas O. Bennett, Jr. and the James B. Bonham Corporation, but held that the $1.25 million award (47:1 and 188:1 ratios) violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and must be reduced on remand. The Court also affirmed that the corporation can be liable for punitive damages because Bennett acted as a vice‑principal of the corporation.