When it comes to an injury due to another party’s negligence, there are different types of damages that may be recovered. Each case is different. Some cases are due to negligence, whereas others are a result of ill-will. The intentions behind the accident play a large role in the proceedings. In some cases, a plaintiff may be awarded punitive damages in addition to other forms of compensation. So, what are punitive damages and when are they awarded? Read on for more information regarding punitive damages in New Jersey and what to do if you are injured due to another party’s negligence.
What Are Punitive Damages?
When someone is injured due to another party’s negligence, he or she will likely recover compensation to help alleviate some of the burdens caused by the injury. For example, you may need help paying hospital bills, and to account for lost wages. Additionally, you may be rewarded compensation for things like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. These may be typical when it comes to personal injury cases. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded in addition. Punitive damages are not meant to help the injured party, but rather to punish the party responsible for the injury.
When Can Punitive Damages Be Recovered?
Punitive damages are not part of every personal injury case. This is because, in order to recover punitive damages, you will have to prove that your accident was a result of more than just negligence. The accident will have been caused by ill-will, malice, or egregious behavior. For example, punitive damages will generally not be involved in a slip and fall case. If someone does not thoroughly shovel snow from the sidewalk, he or she did not mean to cause harm but rather failed to properly maintain his lawn. But, if a drunk driver gets behind the wheel of a car and causes an injury, he or she may have to pay punitive damages because he was aware that driving drunk could put lives in danger and chose to do so anyway. When it comes to recovering punitive damages, you will need the help of a dedicated personal injury attorney.
Contact our firm to discuss your case with a skilled personal injury attorney. We are here to act as your advocate and walk you through all of your personal injury matters.
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