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reputation of petitioner, and exposed him to public hatred,
ridicule, or financial injury; and that the television station
acted with knowledge of the falsity or with reckless disregard
for the truth or falsity of the subject matter of the broadcasts.
The jury also found that the series constituted an intentional
infliction of emotional distress and trauma on petitioner.
The jury awarded petitioner $11,500,000 in actual damages,
composed of the following amounts: $1,750,000 for loss of past
earnings from his medical practice, $5 million for loss of future
earning capacity, $1 million for past mental anguish, including
embarrassment and humiliation, $500,000 for future mental
anguish, $1,500,000 for loss of past reputation, and $1,750,000
for future loss of reputation. In addition, the jury awarded
punitive damages of $17,500,000, bringing the total award to $29
million, plus interest.
Petitioner moved for a posttrial amendment of his pleadings
to allow for damages in excess of $10,500,000, the total amount
he initially sought in his suit, and the court allowed petitioner
to amend his pleadings to conform to the adduced proof and the
jury's verdict. The district court then entered judgment (the
judgment).
Of the $11,500,000 in actual damages, the court found that
$4,250,000 represented actual damages that had occurred between
the date of the broadcast and the date of the judgment.
Prejudgment interest of $2,597,201 had accrued on this portion of
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