Punitive Versus Compensatory Damages In Personal Injury Lawsuits
If you have recently been the victim of neglect or other cause of personal injury, perhaps you have already retained the help of a personal injury attorney. However, these experts will frequently pursue different types of damages on your behalf, and it’s important to realize the differences between the punitive and compensatory claims.
Compensatory damages are awarded to plaintiffs for actual loss, injury, or harm. For example, these damages may cover harmed property, medical bills, loss of income, or loss of life. Most personal injury attorneys will attempt to retrieve compensatory damages to cover your financial costs associated with the neglect or accident involved in the claim.
In contrast, punitive damages are not sought or awarded to compensate the victim. Punitive damages are typically imposed to prevent under-compensation to the plaintiff, or to dissuade the defendant and similar parties from engaging in activities in the future which may lead to additional injuries.
For example, in a case involving liability for faulty drug manufacturing, compensatory damages may be awarded to the plaintiff for pain and suffering, medical bills, or permanent health conditions as a result of taking the drug. Punitive damages may also be awarded to encourage the manufacturer to stop distributing the drug, or cause other manufacturers to study their products more carefully prior to putting them on the market.
Punitive damages are also more common in tort cases, where there are several plaintiffs involved in the same claim. Class action suits aim to decrease the strain on the judicial system when several cases are related, as well as protect the rights of the large number of plaintiffs.
Personal injury lawyers are experts in pursuing cases involving product liability, auto accidents, and wrongful deaths and injuries. If you believe you may be a victim, it’s important to seek professional counsel right away.
By: Daniel Beasley
Personal injury laws can be difficult to navigate without the assistance of a lawyer. Car accident attorneys, product liability attorneys, and traumatic brain injury attorneys can help victims receive the compensation they need in order to recover both physically and financially from an accident.
Compensatory damages are awarded to plaintiffs for actual loss, injury, or harm. For example, these damages may cover harmed property, medical bills, loss of income, or loss of life. Most personal injury attorneys will attempt to retrieve compensatory damages to cover your financial costs associated with the neglect or accident involved in the claim.
In contrast, punitive damages are not sought or awarded to compensate the victim. Punitive damages are typically imposed to prevent under-compensation to the plaintiff, or to dissuade the defendant and similar parties from engaging in activities in the future which may lead to additional injuries.
For example, in a case involving liability for faulty drug manufacturing, compensatory damages may be awarded to the plaintiff for pain and suffering, medical bills, or permanent health conditions as a result of taking the drug. Punitive damages may also be awarded to encourage the manufacturer to stop distributing the drug, or cause other manufacturers to study their products more carefully prior to putting them on the market.
Punitive damages are also more common in tort cases, where there are several plaintiffs involved in the same claim. Class action suits aim to decrease the strain on the judicial system when several cases are related, as well as protect the rights of the large number of plaintiffs.
Personal injury lawyers are experts in pursuing cases involving product liability, auto accidents, and wrongful deaths and injuries. If you believe you may be a victim, it’s important to seek professional counsel right away.
By: Daniel Beasley
Personal injury laws can be difficult to navigate without the assistance of a lawyer. Car accident attorneys, product liability attorneys, and traumatic brain injury attorneys can help victims receive the compensation they need in order to recover both physically and financially from an accident.
posted by Hugh Harris-Evans at 7:46 AM
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