Coy v. Wachtel
Appellants Sylvia Wachtel and Leonard Wachtel (the Wachtels) owned a home located at 2511 Seadrift Court in Port Hueneme (the property) which they sold to respondents Samuel Coy and Laura Coy (the Coys). The Coys subsequently discovered that there had been a severe pigeon infestation in the attic during the Wachtels' ownership of the property. The Coys brought a tort action against the Wachtels alleging they had failed to disclose the infestation and its subsequent eradication. The jury found in favor of the Coys and awarded them economic and punitive damages. The Wachtels filed motions for a new trial and judgment notwithstanding the verdict, which the trial court denied. They appeal, arguing that their disclosure was adequate; the Coys are not entitled to damages; there was no basis for the punitive damages or attorneys fee awards; the verdicts are inconsistent and Mrs. Wachtel was not professionally negligent. Court reduce the award of economic damages, but otherwise affirm.
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