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LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

punitive damages

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A quick definition of punitive damages:

Punitive damages are extra money that a court may order a defendant to pay on top of the actual damages. They are meant to punish the defendant for doing something really bad. Punitive damages are usually only given in cases where the defendant did something on purpose or was very reckless. They are not usually given in cases where someone just broke a contract. Punitive damages are only given in about 5% of cases. Courts will look at how bad the defendant's behavior was and how much money the plaintiff should get before deciding if punitive damages are needed.

A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Punitive damages are additional damages awarded by a court in certain circumstances. They are considered punishment and are given when the defendant's behavior is found to be especially harmful.

Punitive damages are not usually awarded in cases of breach of contract. They are typically only awarded in cases of tort liability, where the plaintiff can prove that the defendant engaged in intentional or willful misconduct.

For example, if someone intentionally harms another person, the court may award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages (which are meant to compensate the victim for their losses).

However, courts are reluctant to award punitive damages on the principal for the reckless actions of the agent, unless the principal encouraged or caused the agent's recklessness.

It's important to note that some contracts may list certain "liquidated damages" as a consequence of a breach. However, if these damages are actually punitive in nature, a court may choose to ignore the clause.

Overall, courts only apply punitive damages in about 5% of verdicts. When considering whether to award punitive damages, courts will focus on the reprehensibility of the defendant's behavior and the ratio of punitive damages to compensatory damages.

puffing | pur autre vie

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19:42
it was hard to not improve it. google search was terrible due to the ads and seo cheaters with buzz words and alt text
Dkk
19:42
SEO is big money
2016 pushed the conservative party into populism irreversibly
Dkk
19:43
Maybe, but if this is populism, then every election is populist.
19:43
@Dkk: yeah register 1 website and every swinging tom dick and harry calls/emails/texts to 'help with seo'. like bruh, if YOU found it, what i am doing is working
Dkk
19:43
Indeed!
19:48
wasp, i think people are hopeful for a gov who at least attempts to care about the common man
MIAMI A
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:55
How does one know if they are UR1 or UR2?
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:56
CONGRATS MACAQUE!
TY
got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
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