Business owner burns competitor's truck: Intentional infliction of emotional distress: Lost profits: Verdict: Punitive damages

Law Reporter, May 2002

INTENTIONAL TORTS

Business owner burns competitor's truck: Intentional infliction of emotional distress: Lost profits: Verdict: Punitive damages.

Takaki v. Tavares, Haw., 1st Cir. Ct., No. 99-2594-07, Aug.29,2001.

Takaki owned an automotive shop that provided and transported movie equipment. Cambra, a competitor, hired an arsonist to bum Takaki's truck. Takaki suffered $100,000 in lost earnings due to the loss of his truck.

Takaki, his wife, and their daughter sued Cambra, alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress.

A jury awarded about $9.5 million, reduced by the court to about $5.19 million, including approximately $4.69 million punitive damages. Takaki was awarded about $4.88 million; his wife, $230,000; and their daughter, $75,000.

Plaintiffs Counsel

*William Fenton Sink, Honolulu, Haw.