Punitive Damages Reform: HB 1197 (1986)
Provides that an award for punitive damages may not exceed
Provides that an award for punitive damages may not exceed an award for compensatory damages. Permits a court to reduce a punitive damages award if deterrence can be achieved without the award. Permits a court to increase a punitive damages award to three times an award for compensatory damages if misbehavior continues during trial. Requires one-third of punitive damages awards to be paid to the state fund. The law requiring plaintiff to pay one-third of any punitive damages award collected to the State general fund was an unconstitutional taking of property without just compensation under both the Federal and Colorado Constitutions. Kirk v. Denver Publishing Co., 818 P.2d 262 (Colo. 1991).
Latest News
View all news
California Ranks No. 3 on Judicial Hellholes® List
Report Reveals Ongoing Crisis and Urgent Need for Reform
Kentucky Emerges on Judicial Hellholes® Watch List for the First Time
Evolution in Legal Landscape and Emerging Challenges Highlighted
Justice on Trial as St. Louis Ranks No. 8 in 2023-2024 Judicial Hellholes® Report, Urging Reform
St. Louis’ Legal Woes Exposed as Trial Lawyer Contributions Stall Reform
Louisiana Grapples with Judicial Hellholes® Distinction
From Coasts to Courts, State Struggles Under Weight of Judicial Hellholes® Title
Cook County, Illinois Rises to Second-Worst Judicial Hellhole® in Latest Report
Cook County Legal Woes Exposed: No-Injury Lawsuits, Excessive Verdicts, Business Struggles
Florida No Longer a Judicial Hellhole®, Named Point of Light in Annual Report
St. Louis’ Legal Woes Exposed as Trial Lawyer Contributions Stall Reform