Suing for Punitive Damages in Grand Rapids

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Litigation Lawyers in Grand Rapids

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

Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, 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. Rather, these "punitive damages," as they are called, are meant to punish and deter wrongdoing.

Punitive Damages in Grand Rapids, Michigan are not awarded easily, because the civil justice system typically disfavors giving plaintiffs financial windfalls not directly related to compensating them for their injuries. They are usually only awarded when the conduct of the defendant is morally reprehensible, and far worse than simple carelessness.

Conduct that can give rise to punitive damages in Grand Rapids, Michigan

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

Punitive Damages in Grand Rapids, Michigan are only awarded in cases where the actions of the plaintiff was intentional and highly immoral, or extremely reckless. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, torts such as fraud, gross negligence, and theft are sufficient to award punitive damages. Courts consider numerous factors when deciding whether or not punitive damages are warranted. Courts will look at the nature of the act, as well as the defendant's intent in performing the act. This will be weighed, on a sliding scale, against the actual harm that the defendant's conduct caused to the plaintiff.

You should be cognizant of the fact that there are some pretty severe limits on punitive damages in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 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 massive amounts of property.

In general, punitive damages in Grand Rapids, Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Grand Rapids, Michigan Attorney Help?

The law of Grand Rapids, Michigan 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 numerous situations where they might be awarded.

If you live in Grand Rapids, Michigan and are immersed in a case that you believe carries the possibility of a punitive damage award, you may be entitled to a large amount of funds from the person or company that harmed you. To know for sure, you should speak with a civil litigation attorney in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Life in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, MI is a city serving as the county seat of Kent County. It is a fairly large city, with a population of slightly under 200,000 people. Human habitation of the area now known as Grand Rapids can be traced back at least 2,000 years, when elements of the Hopewell Culture (a large group of tribes which extended from Canada down the Southeastern U.S., which developed cultural similarities through centuries of trade) lived in the area. By about 1700AD, the Ottawa Indians had moved into the area, and established a permanent presence. Europeans first reached Grand Rapids in the early 1800s, with the first settlers being missionaries and fur traders. In the early 20th Century, Grand Rapids, Michigan became known as "the furniture city" due to its large natural supply of lumber, which lead many famous furniture manufacturers and designers to set up shop there.Modernly, furniture and automotive industries still maintain a presence in Grand Rapids, Michigan. However, their presence has gradually waned over the past decades.

If you live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and need a good attorney, chances are good that you can find one. Grand Rapids, Michigan lawyers are very qualified to handle virtually any case that comes into their door.

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