Suing for Punitive Damages in Cartersville

Find the right Litigation attorney in Cartersville, GA

  • /10
  • Client Overall
    Satisfaction Rate*
*TrustPilot score as of 010118

Litigation Lawyers in Cartersville

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

This general principle is subject to an important exception, however. There are cases where a judge in Cartersville, Georgia 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.

You should be aware that courts in Cartersville, Georgia are not particularly fond of granting 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 Cartersville, Georgia

The vast majority of personal injury lawsuits in Cartersville, Georgia involve situations in which the defendant did not intend to harm the plaintiff, but did so through carelessness. This is not enough to award punitive damages in Cartersville, Georgia.

Punitive Damages in Cartersville, Georgia are only awarded in cases where the conduct of the plaintiff was intentional and highly immoral, or extremely reckless. In Cartersville, Georgia, 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.

However, in Cartersville, Georgia, the law places limits on punitive damages. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled several 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 Cartersville, Georgia, punitive damage awards are typically (but not always) capped at 10 times the amount awarded in compensatory damages. Remember, however, that this is just a general rule of thumb, and is not completely rigid. In Georgia, appeals courts have a good deal of discretion in deciding if a punitive damage award is valid or invalid. Much larger awards have been upheld, and smaller awards have been overturned. The validity of a particular punitive damage award will depend heavily on the facts of each case.

How Can a Cartersville, Georgia Attorney Help?

In Cartersville, Georgia, there are an essentially unlimited number of situtations in which punitive damages can be awarded.

If you are involved in a case in Cartersville, Georgia that you believe might entitle you to punitive damages, a lot of money could be at stake. So, if you want to pursue your legal remedies, you should see a Cartersville, Georgia civil litigation attorney as soon as possible.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Cartersville

Cartersville, Georgia is a community located in Bartow County. After the 2000 census, its population was just under 30,000 people. A 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed its population at over 41,000, indicating very rapid growth.

Located about an hour's drive north of Atlanta, Cartersville is a popular place to live for families who want a quiet, safe place to raise children, but have at least one family member who works in the much larger city of Atlanta.

With an attractive historic downtown area, a community theater which performs in an historic venue, several art museums, and a fairly high median income,Cartersville, Georgia is considered a very good place to raise a family.

Cartersville is steeped in history, and one of the major points of historical interest is the Etowah Indian Mounds, a major archeological site. The mounds were built over 1,000 years ago, and artifacts from several different tribes are still being found in the area.

Given the rapid growth that the city of Cartersville has seen, and its various points of interest, it's no surprise that Cartersville, Georgia lawyers tend to be equipped to handle a wide variety of legal problems. Whatever legal issue an individual is likely to face, chances are good that a Cartersville, Georgia lawyer can help.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Howard B.
Howard B.

Business - Litigation

Rye Brook, NY

Mark B.
Mark B.

Business - Litigation

Roseland, NJ

David A.
David A.

Business - Litigation

Walnut Creek, CA