Suing for Punitive Damages in Hartford

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Litigation Lawyers in Hartford

In Hartford, Connecticut, 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 cases, courts in Hartford, Connecticut 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 Hartford, Connecticut 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 Hartford, Connecticut

Personal injury litigation doesn't typically carry with it the possibility of punitive damages in Hartford, Connecticut, because typically personal injury cases stem from harm that was caused accidentally, not deliberately. Accidental harm is not enough to warrant an award of punitive damages in Hartford, Connecticut.

Punitive Damages in Hartford, Connecticut are only awarded in cases where the behavior of the plaintiff was intentional and highly immoral, or extremely reckless. In Hartford, Connecticut, 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.

There are limits on punitive damages in Hartford, Connecticut. The Supreme Court has held that punitive damage awards which are grossly disproportionate to the immorality of the conduct, and the harm that it caused, are an unconstitutional deprivation of property without due process of law.

A good rule of thumb for calculating the upper limit of punitive damages in Hartford, Connecticut is that punitive damages can be no larger than compensatory damages times ten. This rule is not absolute, of course. Courts in Connecticut have a good deal of discretion in awarding punitive damages, and will decide them based on the facts of each case. Because of this, punitive damage awards larger than 10 times compensatory damages are occasionally upheld, while much smaller awards have been overturned, because they were deemed excessive in a certain case.

How Can a Hartford, Connecticut Attorney Help?

Hartford, Connecticut's courts have wide discretion in awarding punitive damages. Therefore, it is unrealistic to comprehensively discuss all the situations in which punitive damages can arise.

If you live in Hartford, Connecticut and are engaged 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 hurt you. To know for sure, you should speak with a civil litigation attorney in Hartford, Connecticut.

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Life in Hartford

Hartford, Connecticut is a diverse and historic city located in Hartford County. It is the state capital as well as the county seat for Hartford County. The Hartford metropolitan region boasts the second highest national rating for per capita economic activity (behind San Francisco). It is part of an area known as the "Knowledge Corridor", which is home to thirty-two colleges and universities.

Hartford, Connecticut is also nicknamed "the Insurance Capital of the World", as it houses headquarters for several major insurance companies. The insurance field is Hartford's major industry. The Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Building is one of the city's main features. Other places of interest in Hartford are the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch and the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

Being nearly 400 years old, Hartford Connecticut is home to a whole host of "oldest" operations in the U.S. A few examples include the nation's oldest published newspaper in operation (The Hartford Courant); the oldest public park (Bushnell Park) and the Wadsworth Atheneum, which is the country's oldest public art museum. Notable residents have included author Mark Twain and actress Katharine Hepburn. The city also boasts a large number of modern retail stores and restaurants.

Lawyers in Hartford, Connecticut continue the city's rich history in legal services. Hartford lawyers are knowledgeable of the various statutes and laws that regulate the city's businesses and population. They are available for legal assistance in a broad range of legal fields.

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