Smith v. Wade

Inmate Wade (plaintiff) sued prison guard Smith and others (defendants) under Section 1983 after being assaulted by cellmates, alleging the guards knew or should have known the attack was likely and did nothing to prevent it; the jury, instructed it could award punitive damages for reckless disregard or callous indifference to Wade's safety without a separate showing of malicious intent, found Smith liable for both compensatory and punitive damages, and Smith appealed the punitive award, arguing malicious intent should be required.