What are punitive damages?
Compensatory Damages are an attempt to "balance the scales" and compensate the injured party for actual losses, such as medical bills, missed time at work, damaged property, lost future earnings, loss of capacity to enjoy life, pain and suffering, and disability.
Punitive Damages: When the conduct of the party causing damages was outrageous because of evil motive or reckless indifference, or in some cases when the defendant’s conduct showed complete indifference or conscious disregard for the safety of others, punitive damages are an additional amount that could be assessed by a jury to punish the wrongdoer and deter the wrongdoer and others from repeating such conduct in the future.
In Missouri, the law provides that 50% of all punitive damages go to the Missouri Tort Victims’ Compensation Fund, which helps compensate victims who are unable to recover from the wrongdoers who injured them.
Read more about the Missouri Tort Victims’ Compensation Fund here.
No amount of money can make up for a serious injury, and nothing can correct a loss of life. But personal injury lawsuits and damages are the method by which our court system can hold negligent parties responsible for their actions which caused you harm.
At NB&W, we are here to help right such wrongs and hold the wrongdoers accountable for your damages. Contact us today and tell us what happened.