Trudy Royster v. Vernon Pittman

This is a cause of action in negligent bailment, tried to a jury, for damage to antique furniture and china which occurred during approximately a two year period while in the possession of the defendant moving company. Facts favorable to the verdict show that on May 31, 1977 appellant Vernon Pittman Van Lines (Pittman) was hired by respondent, Trudy Royster, to temporarily store and then move her furniture and some china to California. However, the storage became permanent after 180 days and Pittman issued a warehouse receipt. It wasn't until September 9, 1979 that Royster decided to remove a few items. Pittman was never required to transport the goods as originally contemplated. At that time Royster discovered a number of pieces of furniture were damaged. The furniture and cartons were stored in a state of disarray. In October, 1979, Royster had her goods transferred to a different warehouse, but it wasn't until October, 1981 that an appraiser viewed the damaged items in order to make an estimate of their reduction in value. Royster testified none of the damage could have occurred at a time after the furniture left Pittman's custody. In February, 1984 a jury returned a verdict of $10,500.00 for actual damages against Pittman from which it appeals.