Strong personal injury cases typically result in a compensatory settlement amount. However, occasionally, when a person is filing against a particularly negligent or malicious defendant, they may receive punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. Punitive damages are awarded to individuals whenever a court finds the defendant guilty of egregious negligence. The court awards these damages to punish them for their actions. Recovering punitive damages necessitates excellent legal representation.
If you have been injured by the negligent actions of another person or business, you may have grounds for a legal claim. Contact the Oklahoma personal injury lawyer from the Abel Law Firm to discuss the details of your case. Call (405) 239-7046 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Are Punitive Damages Fair?
Generally, punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the defendant is a large business or corporation that is committing repeated and heinously negligent actions. For example, if a company is dumping toxic waste in a nearby town’s water supply. This causes many people to suffer illnesses because of the contaminated water. The business may be required to pay punitive damages.
The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the company for their behavior, as well as to provide a financial incentive for them to change their actions. In many cases, a company could pay off dozens of personal injury cases without suffering financially. In fact, it may be more profitable for them to pay off injured patrons than it would be to fix the problem directly.
Many people argue that punitive damages are not fair because one victim receives substantially more money than another. Additionally, opponents argue that the money would be better spent addressing and remedying the problem.
Contact Us
If you have been the victim of another party’s negligence, contact the Oklahoma personal injury lawyers of the Abel Law Firm to discuss your legal options. Contact (405) 239-7046 today to speak with a qualified attorney about your case.
