Suing for Punitive Damages in North Las Vegas

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Litigation Lawyers in North Las Vegas

The civil litigation system in North Las Vegas, Nevada is designed to provide compensation for persons who are injured because of the unlawful conduct of others. It is not much concerned with punishing or deterring wrongdoers.

This basic principle is subject to an significant exception, however. There are cases where a judge in North Las Vegas, Nevada 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 North Las Vegas, Nevada, 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 North Las Vegas, Nevada

A majority of personal injury litigation actions in North Las Vegas, Nevada do not involve the possibility of punitive damages, because they usually involve injuries where the defendant is at fault for the harm caused, but did not intend to do any harm. In North Las Vegas, Nevada, accidental harm may be enough to award the plaintiff compensatory damages, but it is not enough for punitive damages.

Punitive damages in North Las Vegas, Nevada 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 North Las Vegas, Nevada 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.

Nonetheless, in North Las Vegas, Nevada, the law places limits on punitive damages. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled numerous times that punitive damages cannot be grossly disproportionate to the evil nature of the conduct, and the injuries that the defendant suffered. If they are disproportionate, punitive damages might be considered a deprivation of the defendant's right to due process of law.

In general, punitive damages in North Las Vegas, Nevada 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 Nevada 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 North Las Vegas, Nevada Attorney Help?

The law of North Las Vegas, Nevada 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 North Las Vegas, Nevada and are involved 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 injured you. To know for sure, you should speak with a civil litigation attorney in North Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Life in North Las Vegas

North Las Vegas is "Your Community of Choice" located in the southwest Mojave Desert. Just north of the town of Sunrise Manor and Las Vegas, North Las Vegas is home to 120,000 Nevada State residents.

Many North Las Vegas residents work in the hospitality and leisure services in Las Vegas but a number of outstanding lawyers also live there. North Las Vegas lawyers advise on a wide range of cases.

One major employer in the city is the Nevada Department of Corrections. The Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center has been operating from North Las Vegas since 1997 and houses over 2,500 inmates since its expansion in 2009. North Las Vegas enjoys a relatively low crime rate that attracts a number of families. The area also has a good school district and lower property prices attracting young professionals who have relocated to North Las Vegas for business.

Residents of North Las Vegas have access to many local shopping malls and centers of commerce. I-15 and CC-215 are easy highways for commuting. The North Las Vegas Airport, formerly the Sky Haven Airport, is home to sightseeing airline Vision Airlines that offers areal tours of the city and desert.

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