In this episode, CaseyGerry attorney Eric Ganci discusses how the law determines if punitive damages are excessive.
If a person has acted negligently or improperly and has harmed someone else as a result, California law sometimes allows the plaintiff to seek punitive damages in addition to compensation. Delving into the recent 2022 case, Doe v. Lee, Ganci explores when a verdict for punitive damages is excessive in the eyes of the law. The law provides three factors to determine if a verdict is excessive:
The wealth of the defendant. Doe v. Lee (2022) 79 Cal.App.5th 612
Simonyan v. Nationwide (2022) 78 Cal.App.5th 889
Gruenberg v. Aetna Ins. Co. (1973) 9 Cal.3d 566, 573
California Code of Civil Procedure 2860
California Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.7(b), Comment 4
Learn more about Eric Ganci