Suing for Punitive Damages in Costa Mesa

Find the right Litigation attorney in Costa Mesa, CA

  • /10
  • Client Overall
    Satisfaction Rate*
*TrustPilot score as of 010118

Litigation Lawyers in Costa Mesa

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

There is a major exception to this rule, however. In limited cases, courts in Costa Mesa, California will order a defendant to pay the plaintiff damages which are not directly tied to any harm suffered by the plaintiff. Rather, these damages, which are known as "punitive damages", are meant to punish the wrongdoer, and serve as a deterrent.

In Costa Mesa, California, punitive damages are not awarded in many cases. This is because the civil litigation system strongly disfavors giving money to plaintiffs in amounts disproportionate to the injuries they have suffered. However, in some cases, the conduct of the defendant is so reprehensible, that simply punishing the defendant is a worthy goal, and this interest outweighs the preference against giving civil plaintiffs financial windfalls.

Conduct that can give rise to punitive damages in Costa Mesa, California

The vast majority of personal injury lawsuits in Costa Mesa, California involve cases in which the defendant did not intend to harm the plaintiff, but did so through carelessness. This is not enough to award punitive damages in Costa Mesa, California.

Punitive damages in Costa Mesa, California are not granted in many cases. They are only awarded when the defendant's behavior was so deplorable and deliberate (but not necessarily criminal) that punishment is warranted. Fraud, battery, conversion (theft) and other intentional, insidious acts are usually required before punitive damages in Costa Mesa, California will be considered. Moreover, in deciding how much to award in punitive damages, a court will consider 2 main factors: the insidious nature of the defendant's conduct, and the actual harm that the plaintiff suffered as a result.

You should be aware of the fact that there are some pretty severe limits on punitive damages in Costa Mesa, California. The U.S. Supreme Court has found that there are constitutional limits on punitive damage awards. Punitive damages can't be too disproportionate to the actual damages that the plaintiff has suffered. Appeals courts have found that excessive punitive damage awards violate the defendant's right to due process, by depriving them of considerable amounts of property.

Punitive damages in Costa Mesa, California typically cannot exceed 10 times the amount of actual damages suffered by the plaintiff. However, this is just a guideline, and not a strict rule. Courts in California have found larger punitive damage awards to be perfectly valid, and smaller ones to be invalid. This will be highly dependent on the facts of each case.

How Can a Costa Mesa, California Attorney Help?

In Costa Mesa, California, there are a virtually unlimited number of situtations in which punitive damages can be awarded.

If you are located in Costa Mesa, California, and are engaged in a case that you think, based on the information conveyed above, that might have punitive damages as an option, you can't be sure what, if anything, you're entitled to from the defendant until you consult with a Costa Mesa, California civil litigation attorney

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa, California is a city in Orange County. Its population is currently 110,000 people.

Costa Mesa, California was founded in 1953. It was primarily a rural community at its founding, and it gradually transitioned into a suburban "edge" community with a strong economy based on commerce, retail, and light manufacturing.

The largest commercial center in Costa Mesa is the South Coast Plaza, a shopping center of over 300 stores. It is known for its unique architecture and large size. Consumers spend well over 1 billion dollars per year, providing a major driving force of Costa Mesa's economy. The owners of the shopping center typically need legal representation when negotiating and finalizing lease agreements with tenants. The owners, as well as prospective tenants, employ or retain large numbers of Costa Mesa, California attorneys.

If you need to find legal advice in Costa Mesa, California, you should start by seeking out a qualified attorney in Costa Mesa. A Costa Mesa lawyer can probably help you with whatever legal issue you may be facing.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Howard B.
Howard B.

Business - Litigation

Rye Brook, NY

Mark B.
Mark B.

Business - Litigation

Roseland, NJ

David A.
David A.

Business - Litigation

Walnut Creek, CA