The Supreme Court and states provide guidelines for calculating punitive damages. Although there is no maximum amount, punitive damages usually don't exceed four times the amount of compensatory damages. When it comes to a Personal Injury Attorney in Augusta SC claim, compensatory damages are based on the losses faced by the plaintiff. In fact, only about 5% of cases will qualify for punitive damages, while compensatory damages are much more common. If the court decides that the defendant made the voluntary decision to participate in this action and that this negligent behavior could also have harmed others, the case may qualify for punitive compensation with the help of a Personal Injury Attorney in Augusta SC. Hiring the services of an experienced attorney is vital in personal injury cases to maximize your chances of receiving full compensation for your damages.
While most personal injury claims successfully obtain compensatory damages, not all claims qualify for punitive damages. Special compensatory damages compensate the plaintiff by compensating for the economic losses suffered by the plaintiff. These damages are intended to compensate for the non-financial impact that the accident or injury has had on the person's quality of life. In personal injury cases, punitive damages are generally awarded when the defendant's conduct is considered to be particularly egregious.
For example, if a company knowingly sells a defective product that can cause harm to consumers, it may be ordered to pay punitive compensation if it can be proven that it was negligent in making decisions. But what exactly are punitive damages and why is it important to understand them? In this section, we'll explore the concept of punitive damages and why they're important in your personal injury claim. Often, in personal injury cases, the victim may be entitled to compensation for numerous damages, and at best, understanding the differences between those damages can be confusing. Some jurisdictions allow the award of punitive damages in certain cases of tort, including personal injury and medical negligence.
Punitive damages, also known as actual damages, vindictive damages, or exemplary damages, are awarded in legal cases to punish defendants for their negligence or misconduct. Compensatory damages are often awarded for pain and suffering, medical expenses and loss of income. Economic damages include quantifiable losses, such as medical expenses, the costs of repairing property damage, lost wages, and any other financial loss that directly results from the accident or injury. The amount of compensatory damages awarded equals the personal injuries suffered by the plaintiff so that the plaintiff recover.