Punitive Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
You may have heard the phrase “punitive damages” in the news or while reading a newspaper. These are a specific type of damages that may be awarded in a lawsuit. Punitive damages can be quite confusing to understand. This form of damages is commonly referred to as exemplary damages. They can be awarded in addition to compensatory damages in a lawsuit. If there is wanton and egregious negligence that resulted in the injury of another person, that person may be able to seek punitive damages in their personal injury lawsuit. These types of damages are meant to punish the person who acted negligently, and are not necessarily meant to give the person anything in return for an injury that was sustained.
What is the Standard of Proof for Punitive Damages in a Personal Injury Case?
Punitive damages are considered an extraordinary remedy in New York. In other words, the standard for awarding punitive damages is quite high and may be difficult to prove. Sometimes it can be difficult to prove that a defendant committed an act willfully and negligently. This does not mean that recovery for punitive damages is impossible, but rather the courts may hold the facts of the case to a higher standard when considering an award for punitive damages. Only a skilled attorney will be able to advise what damages you may be entitled to in your personal injury matter.
If you have been injured in any type of accident, you may need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Our attorneys are experienced with dealing with personal injury matters.
Contact The Law Office of Raji S. Zeidan, PC today to schedule a consultation if you are in need of strong legal representation for any of your criminal defense and personal injury matters. We are here to help during your time of need.