Punitive Damages Reform: HB 212 (2003); Amended Mont. Code Anno., § 27-1-221 (2010). - ATRA

Punitive Damages Reform: HB 212 (2003); Amended Mont. Code Anno., § 27-1-221 (2010).

| November 6, 2016

Brings Montana statute into conformity with Supreme Court decision that

Brings Montana statute into conformity with Supreme Court decision that punitive damages may be awarded by a two-thirds verdict rather than the previous requirement that punitive damages awards must be unanimous. In Finstad v. W.R. Grace & Co., 2000 MT 228, 301 Mont. 240, 8 P.3d 778 (2000), the Montana Supreme Court held that the portion of section 27-1-221(6), MCA, which requires that an award of punitive damages must be unanimous as to liability and amount, violates Article II, section 26, of the Montana Constitution, guaranteeing a verdict by a two-thirds majority in all civil cases.

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