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When someone is injured because of someone else’s negligent actions, that individual is entitled to receive compensation for their damages. Punitive damages are an additional payment that is in addition to this compensation.
Punitive damages are meant to punish someone for their actions and to discourage others from committing the same offense. According to Missouri Title XXXV Civil Procedure and Limitations Chapter 510, punitive damages may be awarded if it can be clearly proven that “the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff without just cause or acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.”
When someone has to pay punitive damages, this amount is in addition to compensation for damages. In addition to punitive damages, the defendant could end up paying you for the following:
You will be fully compensated for all accumulated medical bills along with future medical expenses that you may receive to treat any accident-related injuries. Be sure to get medical attention as soon as possible after the accident, so that you will have documentation linking your injuries to the accident.
The time you spend unable to work while recovering from your injuries is time that you are not earning your regular income. You may be using up your allotted sick time or disability, but these often pay a reduced rate and might not last long enough for your recovery. You may lose your job entirely. You should be compensated for these financial losses.
If you have to work at a reduced capacity due to injuries caused by the accident, you can claim your loss of future earnings.
Depending on the nature of your injuries, there is a strong possibility that you will require some type of rehabilitation. Physical therapy, chiropractic care, pain management, and psychotherapy are some examples of rehabilitation.
The cost of medicines that your doctors prescribe for you because of your accident will be reimbursed. This amount includes the cost of medication you will be required to take long-term as long as it directly results from the accident.
Common injuries such as brain and spinal damage are debilitating and permanent. All pain, the reduction of your enjoyment of life, and emotional damage will receive a value for your compensation.
Your vehicle or whatever property you had with you that was damaged during the accident will be added up for the cost of repair, replacement, or any reduction in value. The same applies to damage to your property that the defendant caused. For example, if they were in a single-car accident and damaged your home they would have to pay for those damages.
The family of victims who were killed by a negligent act can file a claim for wrongful death. If convicted, the defendant will have to pay monetary compensation to the family or dependents. The defendant may even face homicide charges in criminal court as well.
For a case to qualify for punitive damages, you must prove two things.
An aggravating factor necessary for punitive damages has to be one of the following:
The aggravating factor that applies to drunk driving is willful or wanton conduct. Willful or wanton conduct is defined by Missouri’s statutes as “the conscious and intentional disregard of and indifference to the rights and safety of others, which the defendant knows or should know is reasonably likely to result in injury, damage, or other harm. Willful or wanton conduct means more than gross negligence,” according to Missouri Law Review.
There is a cap on the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in Missouri. This cap is five times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. These limitations do not apply if the state of Missouri is the plaintiff requesting the award of punitive damages, or the defendant pleads guilty to or is convicted of a felony arising out of the acts or omissions pled by the plaintiff.
Filing a claim for damages can be challenging depending on the circumstances of your accident. Filing for punitive damages is complex and requires an experienced attorney to recover the maximum amount possible. The attorneys at Goldblatt & Singer are prepared to gather the evidence needed for a successful claim. This evidence can include the defendant’s activities before the accident. For example, if the defendant was a drunk driver we would gather the following evidence:
We also obtain the test results for the driver’s blood alcohol content. The defendant may try to argue that although their blood alcohol level was over the legal limit, they were not actually impaired. To combat this defense strategy, we procure a toxicologist who specializes in analyzing breath and blood samples for alcohol and have them provide expert testimony to prove impairment. We use the observations of the driver described in the police report as well as the results of any field sobriety tests that were conducted. We will also find witness statements of people who saw the defendant before, at the time of, and after the accident.
In Missouri, punitive damages are insurable unless the insurance policy specifically states that it will not cover punitive damages as long as the damages are directly assessed against the policy holder and not against an agent or employee. Since the purpose of this claim is to punish the defendant, the court may take any insurance coverage amount and adjust the punitive damages amount to exceed the policy limit.
You may file a claim for punitive damages, but the court decides the amount. In order to receive the maximum possible amount for your accident, it is important to gather and present as much evidence as possible to show both the willful or wanton conduct of the defendant and also how substantially your life has been negatively impacted by the defendant’s actions.
There are some juries that will award large amounts for punitive damages because of the nature of the accident. However, the judge often reduces excessive amounts that may be considered unfair to the defendant. For example, someone who only makes $15,000 per year cannot afford to pay $250,000 in punitive damages on top of compensatory damages as well as any fines from criminal court. The judge will also take into consideration the defendant’s intent, subsequent remorse, and criminal charges, which are also considered punishment. If the defendant believes the awarded punitive damages are excessive, they are able to appeal the decision as well.
Punitive damages are very rarely awarded in Missouri. They are only awarded when someone has willfully wronged another person. They are designed to punish the defendant for their intentional or grossly negligent behavior and are meant to seek as an example for others as a deterrent against committing the same actions.
When it comes to calculating the amount of punitive damages that will be awarded to the victim, there is no true mathematical formula. The awards typically increase with the severity of the offense up to the limit set by Missouri law. Punitive damages may be up to five times the amount of compensatory damages awarded to the victim or $500,000, whichever is greater.
If you or someone you love has been injured through the gross negligence of someone else or if someone has intentionally harmed you in some way, we know how unfair and stressful your situation is. Call us today at (314) 231-4100 for a free consultation to discuss your incident and your options for compensation. We know what it takes to fight the legal battle for what you are legally entitled to receive. Avoid aggravating complications and let our experienced attorneys handle the complexities of your case. We will get your maximum payment in the shortest possible time frame.