Punitive Damages Reform: HB 775 (1999)
Limits punitive damages to the greater of three times the
Limits punitive damages to the greater of three times the award of compensatory damages or $500,000. Limits punitive damages to he greater of four times compensatory damages or $2,000,000, where the defendant’s wrongful conduct was motivated by an unreasonable financial gain or the likelihood of injury was known. Prohibits the award of multiple punitive damages awards based on the same act or course of conduct unless the court makes a specific finding that earlier punitive damages awards were insufficient. Requires a plaintiff to prove by clear and convincing evidence that a defendant acted with intentional misconduct or gross negligence for the award of punitive damages. Outlines circumstances when an employer is liable for punitive damages arising from an employee’s conduct. The reform does not apply to cases involving abuses to the elderly or children, or cases where the defendant is intoxicated.
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