Briefing a Case (Research Paper Sample)

COASTAL TRANSMISSION SERVICE, INC. AND RICHARD BARROW v. SOUTHERN BELL TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH COMPANY 65684. (167 Ga. App. 611) (307 SE2d 83) (1983)
FACTS: The Coastal Transmission service, Inc. together with Richard Barrow sued the Southern Bell Telephone Company for defamation. Southern bell had altered the Coastal Transmissions slogan in their directory advertisement. Instead of it printing, "Get it in gear”, they printed, "Get it in rear”. The advertisement also contained Barrow’s name. The plaintiffs alleged that the advertisement had tainted their reputation negatively.
ISSUE: The issue in this case is whether the alteration of the slogan amounts to a libel and also whether both plaintiffs qualify for the award of general and punitive damages as well as special damages to the coastal Transmission Service Inc.
LAW: The law of tort and limitation of liability clause come in handy here. The Georgia Codal standard for imposition of punitive damages in a libel case is contained in Code Ann.105-2002(OCGA 51-12-5), (i) in every tort there may be aggravating circumstances, which may be either in the act or the intention and in the event the jury may give additional damages, either to deter the wrongdoer from repeating the trespass or as a compensation for the loss suffered by the plaintiff.
ANAL...