Punitive Damages Reform: SB 263 (1995) - ATRA

Punitive Damages Reform: SB 263 (1995)

| November 6, 2016

Codifies factors that the jury must consider in awarding punitive

Codifies factors that the jury must consider in awarding punitive damages. Provides that when a jury finds by “clear and convincing” evidence that the defendant: (1) acted in “reckless disregard for the rights of others,” the award is limited to the greater of $100,000 or actual damages awarded; or (2) acted intentionally and with malice, the award is limited to $500,000; two times the award of actual damages; or the increased financial benefit derived by the defendant or insurer as a direct result of the conduct causing injury. The limit does not apply if the court finds evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant acted intentionally and with malice in conduct life‑threatening to humans.

Latest News

View all news

The Lab Whose Junk Science Is Fueling a Frenzy of Litigation

Legitimate consumer protection demands sound science and impartial analysis — not distorted data designed to manufacture lawsuits.

<img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" />

Lawsuit Advertising Frenzy Fuels Georgia’s Litigation Epidemic

Law Firms Spent $168M+ on 2.2M Ads in Georgia

<img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" />

Trial Lawyers’ Dual Grip on Pennsylvania Politics and Public Opinion Revealed in New ATRA Reports

ATRA’s Latest Studies Reveal Financial Influence and Lack of Transparency in Pennsylvania’s Campaign Finance Systems

<img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" />

Reports Reveal Influence of Trial Lawyers on New Jersey’s Legal Landscape

Two New Reports Analyze Legal Services Advertising Trends and Campaign Contributions

<img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" />

California Trial Lawyers’ Influence on Legal Landscape Exposed

Two New Reports Unveil Disturbing Trends in Legal Services Advertising and Plaintiffs’ Firms’ Political Contributions

<img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" alt="" decoding="async" data-src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="500" height="250" src="https://www.atra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ATRA-PR-for-WordPress-500x250.png" class="attachment-masonry size-masonry wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" />

New Reports Expose Trial Lawyers’ Grip on Nevada Politics and Legal Advertising Trends

In-depth analysis unveils trial lawyers’ staggering advertising and political spending, exposing tactics used to shape public opinion and legal outcomes.