Baumrucker v. Express Cab Dispatch, Inc.

Jury verdict of $897,740 for pedestrian struck by cab, of which $397,740 for compensatory damages and $500,000 in punitive damages. Verdict was not against manifest weight of evidence. Court's evidentiary rulings and jury instruction were not an abuse of discretion. Damages were reasonable and not excessive. Court properly allowed Plaintiff's expert to offer his opinion on ultimate issue as to whether cab company acted willfully and wantonly by entrusting cab to driver, as opinion aided the trier of fact to understand evidence or determine a fact in issue. (NEVILLE and MASON, concurring.)