Suing for Punitive Damages in Frankfort

Find the right Litigation attorney in Frankfort, KY

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

Litigation Lawyers in Frankfort

In Frankfort, Kentucky, civil litigation serves the main purpose of compensating individuals who have been victims of wrongdoing, and not meting out punishment, vengeance, or moral judgment.

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

It's critical to note that courts in Frankfort, Kentucky 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 Frankfort, Kentucky

The vast majority of personal injury lawsuits in Frankfort, Kentucky involve situations 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 Frankfort, Kentucky.

Punitive damages in Frankfort, Kentucky are not authorized in many cases. They are only awarded when the defendant's conduct 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 Frankfort, Kentucky will be considered. Furthermore, 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.

It's critical to note that in Frankfort, Kentucky, 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.

Generally, in Frankfort, Kentucky, punitive damage awards that exceed the actual damages (those awarded to directly compensate the plaintiff) by a factor of 10. This is not an absolute rule, nonetheless, and is applied on a case-by-case basis. Courts in Kentucky have found much smaller awards to be invalid, and upheld much larger awards.

How Can a Frankfort, Kentucky Attorney Help?

In Frankfort, Kentucky, judges and juries have a good deal of leeway in deciding if they want to grant punitive damages, so there are a nearly-unlimited number of circumstances that can lead to a punitive damage award.

If you are involved in a case in Frankfort, Kentucky 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 Frankfort, Kentucky civil litigation attorney as soon as possible.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Frankfort

Frankfort is a city in Franklin County, Kentucky. It is the capital of Kentucky, and with a population of under 30,000 people, it is one of the least populous state capitals in the United States. Frankfort was founded in the late 1700s, shortly after Kentucky became a state, with the specific purpose of serving as the state capital. During the Civil War, Frankfort was briefly occupied by confederate troops, Since the 1960s, Frankfort has seen considerable population and economic growth, mainly due to the construction of a few large (for a city this size) state and private office buildings, and other construction projects. Frankfort is also home to several distilleries who make Kentucky bourbon whiskey, the signature spirit of the region. Some of these older office towers are slated for demolition, with the intention of building a new, more modern, business center, with several smaller buildings providing for office space. There are plenty of lawyers in Frankfort, Kentucky who can handle whatever legal problems you might be facing. If you need any type of legal assistance, whether you're signing a mortgage, getting a divorce, starting a business, or anything else, a Frankfurt, Kentucky lawyer can help.

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