Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers: What are Punitive Damages? Part I
In a previous post, we discussed the two types of damages that may be awarded to a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit. The first type of damages, that cover the actual costs of the financial, physical and psychological effects of the injury, are called compensatory. If you have further questions about compensatory damages, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney if you live in Illinois. Personal Injury Lawyers can explain the concept in detail and answer any other questions that may arise on the topic of financial awards.
The second type of damages, however, are extremely serious and are expected to be awarded with a measure of restraint. Punitive damages, as the name implies, are awarded as a way of punishing the defendant when his or her conduct has been deemed malicious or oppressive. This money is awarded to the plaintiff in addition to the compensatory damages, and is meant to be more of a deterrent to both the defendant and others who might engage in similarly dangerous actions. Be sure to choose a lawyer from Illinois personal injury lawyers who have experience in your type of case and have had success winning punitive damages when appropriate.
An example of a case where punitive damages might be awarded would be if a chemical company knowingly polluted drinking water with waste that was known to be physically harmful to humans. In this scenario, the chemical company sought to profit from their operation with no regard for the damage it might cause. Contact a Chicago personal injury attorney for further examples of cases in which punitive damages were awarded.
Both types of damages, compensatory and punitive, are carefully decided by a jury that has weighed all the evidence of the case. Even so, a judge can order to reduce the amount if he or she determines that it is excessive, or increase the amount if he or she feels that it is inadequate.
If you or someone you know has been injured due to the negligence of another, contact Illinois personal injury lawyers who will review your case and advise you of its merits.
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