Mary Hanson v. Albert Martin

Outcome: Judgment for Mary Hanson, including $34,000 in punitive damages.

Description: Mary Hanson loaned Albert Martin, a former major league baseball player, more than $41,000 at his request. After many months of delaying repayment, he finally provided a personal check for $34,000 as partial repayment of the loan. However, the check bounced upon deposit, and Albert Martin refused to make it good. Mary Hanson sued Martin for the fraudulent check, since the bank account on which the check was drawn had been closed long before the check was written, and she was awarded $68,000 in damages, including $34,000 in statutory punitive damages for the fraudulent check, as well as her full attorney fees and costs.