If you are injured due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation. Injuries can be expensive. Hospital bills and other medical bills can take a huge toll on a person. You may also deserve compensation for things like lost wages and property damage. In addition, some people are awarded compensation for non-economic damages. This may include pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life, among other things. In some rare cases, an injured party will be awarded punitive damages. Read on to learn more about punitive damages in Pennsylvania.
What Are Punitive Damages?
Punitive damages are not awarded to compensate the injured party. Instead, they are awarded to punish the negligent party and deter him or her from engaging in similar behavior in the future.
When Are They Awarded?
Punitive damages are rare. This is because there must be evidence that the negligent party is guilty of fraud, oppression, or malice. An example in which punitive damages may be awarded is in a drunk driving case. If you choose to drink and drive home, you are engaging in an act that is extremely dangerous, and you know that you may cause harm to others, but choose to do so anyway. Drinking and driving is more than just simple negligence. But, in the case of an accidental slip and fall, while the injured party may be awarded damages, he or she will probably not be awarded punitive damages, as there was likely no ill-will or gross negligence. It can be difficult to prove negligence, and even harder to prove ill-will, so you will need the help of a skilled personal injury attorney when it comes to recovering punitive damages.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to compensation. If the injury was caused by more than just negligence, you may be entitled to additional compensation in the form of punitive damages. Reach out to our firm today to discuss your case with a dedicated personal injury attorney. We understand the toll and injury can take and we want to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
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We understand that going through the legal system alone can be both confusing and highly stressful. That is why it is our job to help you through every step of the process ahead. For years, we have been helping clients throughout Lancaster County and its surrounding areas through a wide range of legal matters, including personal injury cases, criminal defense matters, family law issues, estate planning law matters, and more. If you need legal assistance, we are here to help. Contact Ilkhanoff & Silverstein today.
