Understanding Punitive Damages in Florida Personal Injury Cases

Florida Assault Punitive Damages

In Florida, juries can award punitive damages to injured people when the conduct of the at-fault party was intentional or extremely reckless. Examples of cases include injuries caused by criminal acts such as drunk driving, assault, battery, sexual molestation, or rape.

At The Umansky Law Firm, our attorneys represent people who suffer injuries as the result of the wrongful actions of another. In seeking compensation for a serious injury, we won’t stop until we do as much as possible to right the wrongs done to you and hold the responsible party accountable.

What Are Punitive Damages?

Punitive damages (also known as exemplary damages) are commonly awarded in DUI accidents. Juries don’t like it when drunk drivers injure people and may award you punitive damages to punish the other party for the extreme recklessness of driving drunk.

While punitive damages are awarded in civil cases, they are similar to a criminal fine in their intent to punish the wrongdoer. Our experience as former prosecutors gives us a broad understanding of the issues in a civil case involving punitive damages. We know how prosecutors put criminal cases together, and we will use that knowledge to help build your case.

Punitive damages were created to kind of “make an example” out of someone that committed a crime. In some situations, we’ve seen punitive damages go beyond ethics, so what is stored in mind for some prosecutors and/or judges could be questionable.

If you are injured by the negligence or fault of another person, you can file a civil suit to obtain compensation for actual damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent injury. However, if the other person’s actions went beyond simple negligence, courts can also award punitive damages. Compensation in these cases can be far greater than your actual losses.

Are You a Victim of Extreme Negligence? Contact Us Day or Night.

To schedule a free initial consultation with an Orlando personal injury lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm, contact us through this website or call (407) 228-3838.