Homebuyers Fail in Bid for Punitive Damages on Nondisclosure Claim

CANTON, Ohio - Homebuyers failed to prove that the former absentee owner was guilty of actual malice in allegedly hiding water and mold problems behind fresh paint, and such a showing would be necessary for an award of punitive damages and attorney fees, an Ohio appellate court ruled on July 30. Meadows v. Otto, No. 2006CA00138 (Ohio Ct. App., 5th Dist.).

Ohio's 5th Appellate District affirmed the judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, finding no abuse of discretion in the lower court's findings on the punitive damages claim brought by Richard Meadows and Nancy Shuter against Mark …