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Article: Halt the misuse of punitive damages.(legal reform)
- Article from:
- USA TODAY
- Article date:
- September 1, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 Society for the Advancement of Education. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Bloated awards will continue to provide incentive to sue until the courts reassume their duty to make the punishment fit the offense.
DESPITE several appeals to the Supreme Court, the law of punitive damages seems to be as confused as ever. While courts and commentators agree that punitive damages are intended to deter wrongdoing or to punish the wrongdoer, few go on to consider what deterrence really means.
Consider the decision in connection with the Exxon Valdez oil spill. In September, 1994, an Alaska jury found Exxon liable for $5,000,000,000 in punitive damages. The result was hailed as just what was needed to make the company change its ways. Mere ...