Suing for Punitive Damages in Stamford

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Litigation Lawyers in Stamford

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

This basic principle is subject to an significant exception, however. There are cases where a judge in Stamford, Connecticut will order a defendant to pay the plaintiff a sum of money which is not calculated based on actual harm the plaintiff has suffered. These are called "punitive damages" and serve the purpose of punishing and deterring wrongdoing.

In Stamford, Connecticut, punitive damages are not awarded in many cases. This is because the civil litigation system highly disfavors giving money to plaintiffs in amounts disproportionate to the injuries they have suffered. Nonetheless, 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 Stamford, Connecticut

The vast majority of personal injury lawsuits in Stamford, Connecticut involve instances 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 Stamford, Connecticut.

In Stamford, Connecticut, punitive damages are not awarded in most cases. They are usually only awarded when the defendant's behavior was so reckless or deplorable that punishment of the defendant is warranted. Acts such as battery, fraud, and defamation (in some cases) are usually considered sufficient in Stamford, Connecticut to justify punitive damages. In deciding whether to award punitive damages, and how much to award, the two most important factors the court looks at will be the level of immorality of the act, as well as the actual harm that the plaintiff suffered as a result of the defendant's conduct.

It's essential to note that in Stamford, Connecticut, punitive damages are not unlimited. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that punitive damages cannot be hugely disproportionate to the amount awarded to compensate the plaintiff for the actual injuries they suffered. If the punitive damages are extremely excessive, an appeals court might rule that they amount to a deprivation of property without due process of law, or a de facto criminal punishment, without affording the defendant the protections available in criminal cases.

In general, punitive damages in Stamford, Connecticut cannot be more than 10 times larger than the actual damages sustained by the plaintiff. Nonetheless, this is not an absolute rule, and appeals courts in Connecticut have upheld much larger awards, and found much smaller awards to be invalid. It's decided on a case-by-case basis.

How Can a Stamford, Connecticut Attorney Help?

The law of Stamford, Connecticut doesn't lay out many strict conditions which are necessary before punitive damages can be authorized. Instead, it largely leaves it to the discretion of the courts. So, there are various situations where they might be awarded.

If you are located in Stamford, Connecticut, and are immersed 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 Stamford, Connecticut civil litigation attorney

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Life in Stamford

Stamford is located in the greater New York metropolitan region, is the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England. It has a population of about 122,643 people.

Popular attractions primarily comprise of parks and recreational sites. Some attractions include Cummings Park, Terry Connors Ice Rink, Scalzi Park, Mill River Park, and Cove Island Park. Other popular sites to visit include the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, Barlett Arboretum and Gardens, Stamford Center for the Arts and the Stamford Symphony Orchestra.

Stamford is a diverse area with all races, including Caucasian, African-American, Asian, and Hispanic. As a result, many residents are bilingual.

Many large companies have office locations in Stamford. These companies include World Wrestling Entertainment, Tasty Bite, Pitney Bowes, UBS and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Stamford is also home to many law firms and offices which train many competent attorneys to handle any and all legal inquires.

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