Suing for Punitive Damages in Livonia

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Litigation Lawyers in Livonia

In Livonia, Michigan, civil litigation serves the primary purpose of compensating people who have been victims of wrongdoing, and not meting out punishment, vengeance, or moral judgment.

Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. In Livonia, Michigan, courts will, in relatively 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.

Punitive Damages in Livonia, Michigan are not awarded lightly, because the civil justice system usually disfavors giving plaintiffs financial windfalls not directly related to compensating them for their injuries. They are usually only awarded when the conduct of the defendant is morally reprehensible, and far worse than simple carelessness.

Conduct that can give rise to punitive damages in Livonia, Michigan

A majority of personal injury litigation actions in Livonia, Michigan do not involve the possibility of punitive damages, because they typically involve injuries where the defendant is at fault for the harm caused, but did not intend to do any harm. In Livonia, Michigan, accidental harm may be enough to award the plaintiff compensatory damages, but it is not enough for punitive damages.

In Livonia, Michigan, punitive damages are only awarded in extreme cases. Civil wrongs such as fraud, conversion (theft), battery, and other intentional, depraved acts are sufficient to award punitive damages. In deciding whether or not to award punitive damages, and how much money to award, courts in Livonia, Michigan will consider many different factors. Typically, they employ a sliding scale, weighing the nature of the conduct and the actual harm that the conduct caused. The more immoral the conduct, and/or the more harm caused, the more likely a court is to award punitive damages.

There are limits on punitive damages in Livonia, Michigan. 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 Livonia, Michigan is that punitive damages can be no larger than compensatory damages times ten. This rule is not absolute, of course. Courts in Michigan have a good deal of discretion in awarding punitive damages, and will determine them based on the facts of each case. Because of this, punitive damage awards larger than 10 times compensatory damages are sometimes upheld, while much smaller awards have been overturned, because they were deemed excessive in a particular case.

How Can a Livonia, Michigan Attorney Help?

In Livonia, Michigan, there are a large number of cases in which punitive damages are appropriate, because the decision to grant punitive damages is largely up to the discretion of the jury.

If you are located in Livonia, Michigan, 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 Livonia, Michigan civil litigation attorney

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Life in Livonia

Livonia is located in Wayne County, Michigan. It is home to around 96,950 people, making this area a very large suburb.

Some of this large suburb's top employers include Comerica Bank, General Motors, The Harvard Drug Group, the school district, McKesson Pharmaceuticals, Sears, Roebuck Co., Technicolor Video Services, Tower International, TRW Automotive, and Valassis. Of course, to supports these large employers, Livonia has a competent legal force comprising of intelligent, driven attorneys who act in their clients' best interest at all times. As well as these businesses, the legal force also serves as a wonderful support to local residents with their respective legal matters.

Some famous people who have called Livonia home at some point include Bernie Carbo, Chris Conner, Mike Donnelly, Judy Greer, Mike Modano, David Moss, Aaron Palushaj, Chris Tancill, and Jonathan B. Wright.

Overall, Livonia is a large suburb that provides residents and visitors with small town charm and a community-like spirit!

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