Suing for Punitive Damages in Aurora

Find the right Litigation attorney in Aurora, IL

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

Litigation Lawyers in Aurora

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

Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. In Aurora, Illinois, courts will, in fairly rare cases, require defendants to pay plaintiffs sums of money which aren't calculated by the actual harm and costs the plaintiff has incurred. Alternatively, these "punitive damages," as they are called, are meant to punish and deter wrongdoing.

It's essential to note that courts in Aurora, Illinois prefer not to grant punitive damages. This is because the civil justice system is designed mainly to compensate the victims of wrongdoing. Nonetheless, there are some cases where the defendant's conduct was so immoral and evil that civil courts have an interest in making them pay further damages, going above and beyond what's needed to compensate the victim, in order to serve as a deterrent.

Conduct that can give rise to punitive damages in Aurora, Illinois

Typically personal injury cases in Aurora, Illinois involve injuries that the defendant did not intend to cause, but was still at fault in causing them (through negligence, for instance). In Aurora, Illinois, this is not enough to justify the award of punitive damages.

Punitive damages in Aurora, Illinois are only awarded in the most extreme cases. Fraud, theft, assault, battery, and other intentional, immoral acts are grounds for punitive damages. Aurora, Illinois courts will consider various factors in considering whether or not to award punitive damages. For instance, the court might employ a sliding scale that weighs the immorality of the defendant's behavior against the actual harm that it caused to the plaintiff, and calculate damages accordingly.

You should be cognizant of the fact that there are some pretty severe limits on punitive damages in Aurora, Illinois. 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 Aurora, Illinois typically cannot surpass 10 times the amount of actual damages suffered by the plaintiff. Nonetheless, this is just a guideline, and not a strict rule. Courts in Illinois have found larger punitive damage awards to be perfectly valid, and smaller ones to be invalid. This will be strongly dependent on the facts of each case.

How Can a Aurora, Illinois Attorney Help?

Aurora, Illinois's courts have wide discretion in awarding punitive damages. Therefore, it is unrealistic to comprehensively discuss all the situations in which punitive damages can arise.

If you are engaged in a case in Aurora, Illinois where punitive damages are a possibility, a very large amount of money could be at stake, whether you are the plaintiff or defendant. You should not delay to speak with a civil litigation attorney in Aurora, Illinois

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Aurora

Although Aurora, Illinois may not be very well-known, there is certainly a lot to do here. Aurora is the second most populated city in Illinois. It is a suburb located approximately 40 miles from Chicago. Many know Aurora as the "City of Lights" because it was one of the first U.S. cities to implement an all-electric street lighting system.

Aurora also hosts many attractions perfect for families and tourists. People can enjoy a day at Blackberry Farm, the Aurora Historical Museum, Splash Country Waterpark, Hollywood Casino,and an exciting downtown filled with great boutiques and restaurants.

Aurora is also filled with many small law firms focusing on providing clients with excellent, personalized legal services. Firms and experienced attorneys in practically all areas of legal practice offer legal services to the citizens of Aurora. Therefore, no citizen's legal matter can remain unattended in Aurora, Illinois.

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