Pastor Held Liable for Spreading Genital Herpes, Ordered to Pay $2.45M

A Houston pastor, Ralph Douglas West II, has been found liable for transmitting genital herpes and ordered to pay $2.45 million in damages. The jury's verdict included compensatory and punitive damages, making it the largest ever awarded in Texas for a case of this nature. The plaintiff's lawyer hopes this sends a message about the importance of disclosing sexually transmitted diseases and highlights the legal remedies available to those who suffer harm due to another's negligence or intentional conduct.