Holding Wrongdoers Accountable
Hi, I’m Michael Ashworth with TulsaPersonalInjuryLawyer.pro and from time to time I get questions from people and I try to keep a little sheet. Can I get extra money for punishment if someone’s actions were really bad in Oklahoma? Well the standard we use is not really bad, but the answer to the question is yes. It’s known as exemplary or punitive damages.
We have three tiers of punitive damages in Oklahoma and each one goes up a bit based on the conduct being worse and worse and worse. Tier three is the highest level of punitive damages in Oklahoma and there’s no cap on the damages. In other words, there’s no limit. That’s when you hear about these humongous, catastrophic, unbelievably big verdicts. Most of the time, overwhelming number of the time, those are punitive damages cases.
So if someone is willful, wanton, malicious, reckless, intentional in causing harm to people or to entities, they can be held accountable for punitive damages in a tort claim. Contract claims, punitive damages as an overwhelming rule of thumb are not there. But if it’s really, really, really bad or as a friend of mine when I was in law school used to say, that ain’t right, then punitive damages are something your lawyer may tell you about and share with you. But it’s not something you just be thrown into every lawsuit. It should be pled and asserted only when there is a reasonable basis to do so.
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Michael Ashworth, TulsaPersonalInjuryLawyer.pro, is here to help you. Whether your case involves punitive damages or not, we’ll make sure you are taken care of. Give us a call at 918-924-5528 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options. We are committed to fighting for your rights and achieving the best possible outcome for your case. Don’t hesitate, contact us today!
