Munn v. Hotchkiss School

Summary

The Connecticut Supreme Court answered certified questions concerning whether a private boarding school had a duty to warn and protect students against the foreseeable risk of a serious insect-borne disease during an overseas educational trip. The court held that Connecticut public policy did not preclude such a duty and concluded that the approximately $41.5 million damages award, including $31.5 million in noneconomic damages, did not warrant remittitur.

Holdings

1. Connecticut public policy does not preclude imposing on a school a duty to warn students and parents about, and to take reasonable measures to protect students against, the risk of serious insect-borne diseases during a school-sponsored trip abroad.
2. The approximately $41.5 million damages award, including $31.5 million in noneconomic damages, fell within the necessarily uncertain limits of just damages and did not warrant a remittitur.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Connecticut public policy supports imposing on a school organizing an educational trip abroad a duty to warn about and protect students against the foreseeable risk of a serious insect-borne disease.
2. Whether a damages award of approximately $41.5 million, including $31.5 million in noneconomic damages, warranted a remittitur.

Disposition

other