Suing for Punitive Damages in Buffalo Grove

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Litigation Lawyers in Buffalo Grove

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

Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. In Buffalo Grove, Illinois, courts will, in fairly rare cases, require defendants to pay plaintiffs sums of money which aren't calculated by the actual harm and costs the plaintiff has incurred. Alternatively, these "punitive damages," as they are called, are meant to punish and deter wrongdoing.

It's critical to note that courts in Buffalo Grove, Illinois prefer not to grant punitive damages. This is because the civil justice system is designed mainly to compensate the victims of wrongdoing. Nonetheless, there are some cases where the defendant's conduct was so immoral and evil that civil courts have an interest in making them pay further damages, going above and beyond what's needed to compensate the victim, in order to serve as a deterrent.

Conduct that can give rise to punitive damages in Buffalo Grove, Illinois

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

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

It's critical to know that punitive damages in Buffalo Grove, Illinois are subject to limits. The Supreme Court of the United States has held, more than once, that punitive damages can't be grossly disproportionate to the actual harm sustained by the plaintiff. Grossly excessive punitive damage awards are unconstitutional, the Supreme Court has held, because they amount to the government acquiring property from the defendant without due process of law.

Usually, in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, 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 Illinois have found much smaller awards to be invalid, and upheld much larger awards.

How Can a Buffalo Grove, Illinois Attorney Help?

In Buffalo Grove, Illinois, there are a basically unlimited number of situtations in which punitive damages can be awarded.

If you are located in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, 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 Buffalo Grove, Illinois civil litigation attorney

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Life in Buffalo Grove

Buffalo Grove is known as one of Illinois's most affluent areas. It is a small suburb located north of Chicago.

There are many sites for visitors and residents to enjoy in Buffalo Grove. These attractions include The Raupp Museum, the Buffalo Grove Park District, the Buffalo Saint Mary's Church, and the Buffalo Grove Theaters and Escape. For some fine shopping and dining, Raupp Boulevard is a terrific spot to visit.

Celebrities such as Raymond Benson, Lindsey Durlacher, Vince Vaughn, Dickey Simpkins, and Andy Wozniewski have called Buffalo Grove home.

For legal inquiries, residents have many law firms nearby. Chicago is home to small, mid-size, and large firms that train excellent, top-notch attorneys. Overall, the legal force in Chicago ensures that every legal need of Buffalo Grove residents will be met.

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