Suing for Punitive Damages in Surprise

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Litigation Lawyers in Surprise

In Surprise, Arizona, the civil litigation system is primarily concerned with compensating the victims of wrongdoing, rather than punishing the wrongdoers, or casting moral blame upon them.

However, this general principle has a major exception. In rare cases, a Surprise, Arizona judge or jury can award damages to the plaintiff that are not calculated by the actual losses suffered. Instead, they serve the purpose of punishing the defendant, and deterring others from wrongdoing. These are called "punitive damages."

You should be aware that courts in Surprise, Arizona are not particularly fond of granting punitive damages, because they view it as a financial windfall that generally runs counter to civil litigation's primary purpose of compensating victims of wrongdoing for the harm they've suffered. However, if the conduct of the defendant was completely reprehensible and the harm caused was deliberate, a court might impose damages to punish the defendant, known as "punitive damages."

Conduct that can give rise to punitive damages in Surprise, Arizona

Personal injury litigation doesn't usually carry with it the possibility of punitive damages in Surprise, Arizona, because mostly personal injury cases stem from harm that was caused accidentally, not deliberately. Accidental harm is not enough to warrant an award of punitive damages in Surprise, Arizona.

In Surprise, Arizona, punitive damages are only awarded in extreme circumstances. Civil wrongs such as fraud, conversion (theft), battery, and other intentional, depraved acts are sufficient to award punitive damages. In deciding whether or not to award punitive damages, and how much money to award, courts in Surprise, Arizona will consider many different factors. Usually, they employ a sliding scale, weighing the nature of the conduct and the actual harm that the conduct caused. The more immoral the conduct, and/or the more harm caused, the more likely a court is to award punitive damages.

There are limits on punitive damages in Surprise, Arizona. The Supreme Court has held that punitive damage awards which are grossly disproportionate to the immorality of the conduct, and the harm that it caused, are an unconstitutional deprivation of property without due process of law.

In Surprise, Arizona, punitive damage awards are typically (but not always) capped at 10 times the amount awarded in compensatory damages. Remember, however, that this is just a general rule of thumb, and is not completely rigid. In Arizona, appeals courts have a good deal of discretion in deciding if a punitive damage award is valid or invalid. Much larger awards have been upheld, and smaller awards have been overturned. The validity of a particular punitive damage award will depend heavily on the facts of each case.

How Can a Surprise, Arizona Attorney Help?

In Surprise, Arizona, there are a large number of cases in which punitive damages are appropriate, because the decision to grant punitive damages is largely up to the discretion of the jury.

If you are involved in a case in Surprise, Arizona that you believe might entitle you to punitive damages, a lot of money could be at stake. So, if you want to pursue your legal remedies, you should see a Surprise, Arizona civil litigation attorney as soon as possible.

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Life in Surprise

Surprise is located in Maricopa County, Arizona. Its population is one of the fastest-growing in the state- it went from 30,000 in the year 2000 up to 90,000 by the year 2007. The city was founded in 1938 and was named after Surprise, Nebraska.

Surprise is a popular destination for those seeking residential opportunities, in particular retirement homes. In fact, much of the city's population growth can be attributed to Sun City Grand, which is a resort-like, age-restricted residential community. The community is a large contributor to Surprise's population and economy.

Warm weather and modern sports facilities make Surprise an ideal location for those who love sports. For example, the city maintains an outstanding Recreation Campus. The Campus houses the Surprise Tennis and Racket Complex (STRC), which has received several awards. STRC is often the site for important professional matches.

If you have a legal claim, lawyers in Surprise, Arizona will usually file the claim at the Surprise Municipal Court. The municipal court hears civil matters as well as criminal misdemeanor cases. Surprise lawyers can provide you with advice or representation on a variety of legal issues.

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