menu

Recovering Punitive Damages in California

BIKLaw Medical Malpractice Lawyer > Catastrophic Injury > Recovering Punitive Damages in California

Almost every time you watch or read the news, you hear about an individual (perhaps a wronged employee or victim injured by a defective product) winning a verdict and obtaining millions of dollars in punitive damages. Seems unreal, right? Not under California civil law. Punitive damages (which are separate from compensatory damages in California) are monetary damages awarded to punish the defendant and to deter others from committing the same wrong in the future. The hope is that the punitive damages send a message to society that says ‘this behavior is not acceptable.’

 
If you suffered a personal injury as a result of another’s negligence, you might be wondering if and / or how you can recover punitive damages. First, speak with an aggressive personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles who will fight tooth and nail for your legal rights. Second, know that the wrongdoing for which the defendant is awarded punitive damages varies, and there is not just one reason these damages are awarded. For example, the accused may be ordered to pay punitive damages if he causes the injury intentionally and knowingly with malicious intent or if his conduct was fraudulent, reckless, oppressive, malicious or violent in nature.

 

Generally, the punitive damages are awarded after the compensatory damages. This means that if your skilled personal injury lawyer successfully fights your case and shows the judge or jury that you suffered a serious injury that was not your fault and deserve to be compensated as a result, you will be compensated for your pain, suffering, medical bills, emotional trauma, etc… with compensatory damages. On top of that, if the defendant’s behavior was so egregious, you might be awarded punitive damages, which could be several times the amount awarded as compensatory.

 
Punitive damages are awarded for catastrophic injuries such as product defects, dangerous drugs, and wrongful deaths. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by another’s unlawful behavior, you need to reach out to an experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles who will fight aggressively on your behalf.

 

If you or a loved one have been injured or killed by a defective or harmful medical device, dangerous drugs, or other personal injury, contact the aggressive doctor turned lawyer Bradley I. Kramer, MD, Esq. today. Bradley and the BIKLAW team understand your medical injuries and your legal rights.

 

Questions? Contact us