Suing for Punitive Damages in Tulsa

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Litigation Lawyers in Tulsa

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, civil litigation is not meant to punish wrongdoers, at least that is not its main purpose. Alternatively, it is designed to ensure that the victims of wrongdoing are given compensation for the harm they've suffered.

There is an exception to this basic rule, however: in certain cases, a court in Tulsa, Oklahoma will award damages designed to punish the wrongdoer, and deter others from future wrongdoing. This practice is identified as "punitive damages."

Courts in Tulsa, Oklahoma do not authorize punitive damages in most cases. The civil litigation system is geared against authorizing financial windfalls to civil plaintiffs. But, there are rare cases, where the defendant has done something to the plaintiff that is so morally reprehensible, that society's interest in punishing the defendant and deterring comparable misconduct outweighs the civil justice system's preference against punitive damages.

Conduct that can give rise to punitive damages in Tulsa, Oklahoma

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

Punitive damages in Tulsa, Oklahoma are not authorized in many cases. They are only awarded when the defendant's behavior 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 Tulsa, Oklahoma will be considered. Moreover, 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.

You should be cognizant of the fact that there are some pretty severe limits on punitive damages in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 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 Tulsa, Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Tulsa, Oklahoma Attorney Help?

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, there are a practically unlimited number of situtations in which punitive damages can be awarded.

If you are located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and are engaged 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 Tulsa, Oklahoma civil litigation attorney

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Life in Tulsa

Tulsa has been diversifying it's oil industry controlled economy. In doing so, Tulsa has become the second largest city in the State of Oklahoma and a major center for high tech, finance, aerospace, and telecommunications technology development and manufacturing. Tulsa acts as the most important manufacturing hub in Oklahoma and produces nearly 60% of the goods exported from Oklahoma. Financial institutions like BOK Financial Corporation are headquartered in Tulsa alongside business like QuikTrip, Dollar-Thrifty car rental, Hilti, and gas related companies like Sem Group, Synthroleum, and Excel Energy. Attesting to how well the city is doing, the housing trends show a 6% increase in rent last year. So what else does Tulsa have to offer?

The University of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University, Rogers State University, and Tulsa Community College each accept students seeking higher educations. The University of Tulsa was ranked among the best doctoral universities in the United States by U.S. News World Report and one of the top masters institutions by the Princeton Review. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America have their Southwest Regional cancer treatment facility in Tulsa which is located at the Southwest Regional Medical Center. It's one of the largest cancer treatment hospitals in the nation.

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