Kenton v. Hyatt Hotels Corp. Case Brief Summary | Law Case Explained

Описание: Get more case briefs explained with Quimbee. Quimbee has over 16,300 case briefs (and counting) keyed to 223 casebooks ► https://www.quimbee.com/case-briefs-o...

Kenton v. Hyatt Hotels Corp. | 693 S.W.2d 83 (1985)

In negligence suits, juries often face the daunting task of determining what damages are appropriate to compensate an injured plaintiff. In Kenton versus Hyatt Hotels Corporation, we explore what injuries are compensable and the scope of a jury’s discretion in awarding compensatory damages.

In 1981, the suspended skywalks above the lobby of Kansas City’s Hyatt Regency Hotel collapsed. Many patrons attending a tea dance in the lobby were killed or seriously injured. Hyatt entered a class-action-settlement agreement with the injured parties whereby Hyatt stipulated to liability, but class members retained the option to seek individual jury trials for the limited purpose of determining compensatory damages.

Kay Kenton, an athletic, twenty-eight-year-old law student, was injured in the skywalk collapse and elected such a jury determination. Kenton suffered permanent damage to her spinal cord and other injuries impacting routine bodily functions. Additionally, Kenton suffered severe post-traumatic stress syndrome. In combination, Kenton’s injuries severely limited her mobility, reduced her likelihood of having children, and hindered her ability to live independently. Evidence at trial showed that Kenton’s injuries would require her to have ongoing medical and psychiatric treatment, as well as help at home to perform routine tasks. Evidence also showed that her injuries delayed, if not completely restricted, Kenton’s ability to finish law school and would preclude her from ever working as a full-time attorney.

A jury awarded Kenton $4 million in compensatory damages. But the trial court held that the award was excessive and ordered a remittitur to reduce the award by $250,000. Hyatt appealed to the state court of appeals, contesting, among other things, the amount of damages. The state court of appeals transferred the appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court.
Want more details on this case? Get the rule of law, issues, holding and reasonings, and more case facts here: https://www.quimbee.com/cases/kenton-...

The Quimbee App features over 16,300 case briefs keyed to 223 casebooks. Try it free for 7 days! ► https://www.quimbee.com/case-briefs-o...

Have Questions about this Case? Submit your questions and get answers from a real attorney here: https://www.quimbee.com/cases/kenton-...

Did we just become best friends? Stay connected to Quimbee here: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel ► https://www.youtube.com/subscription_...
Quimbee Case Brief App ► https://www.quimbee.com/case-briefs-o...
Facebook ►   / quimbeedotcom  
Twitter ►   / quimbeedotcom  
#casebriefs #lawcases #casesummaries