Suing for Punitive Damages in Littleton

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Litigation Lawyers in Littleton

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

There is a major exception to this rule, however. In limited circumstances, courts in Littleton, Colorado 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.

You should be cognizant that courts in Littleton, Colorado are not especially fond of authorizing punitive damages, because they view it as a financial windfall that generally runs counter to civil litigation's primary purpose of compensating victims of wrongdoing for the harm they've suffered. However, if the conduct of the defendant was completely reprehensible and the harm caused was deliberate, a court might impose damages to punish the defendant, known as "punitive damages."

Conduct that can give rise to punitive damages in Littleton, Colorado

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

Punitive Damages in Littleton, Colorado are only awarded in cases where the conduct of the plaintiff was intentional and highly immoral, or extremely reckless. In Littleton, Colorado, 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 Littleton, Colorado. 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 large amounts of property.

Generally, in Littleton, Colorado, 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 Colorado have found much smaller awards to be invalid, and upheld much larger awards.

How Can a Littleton, Colorado Attorney Help?

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

If you are located in Littleton, Colorado, and are involved 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 Littleton, Colorado civil litigation attorney

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Life in Littleton

Littleton, Colorado is a home-rule municipality, which serves as the county seat of Arapahoe County. It has a population of approximately 40,000 people.

Littleton is a suburb of Denver, the largest city in Colorado. Among professionals who work in Denver, Littleton is a popular place to live, because it is seen as a quiet, friendlycommunity.Littleton traces its history back to 1859, with the Pike's Place gold rush. The Little family (for whom the town is named)established a flour mill, which provided a solid economic base for the city's continued growth.

However, Littleton, Colorado is perhaps best known for its association with the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School. Early media reports erroneously reported that the school was in Littleton, but it is actually located outside the city limits.

Littleton, Colorado is a fairly affluent community, with a relatively high median household income, and a low percentage of the population living below the poverty line.

If you live in Littleton, Colorado and need an attorney, it's highly likely that you'll be able to find a good Littleton, Colorado lawyer. Littleton,Coloradolawyers are well-trained and competent, and can probably handle whatever legal problem you might have.

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