Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1997

Keywords

Compensatory damages awards, Punitive damages awards, Empirical legal studies, Relationship between compensatory and punitive damages awards

Disciplines

Applied Statistics | Civil Procedure | Legal Remedies | Litigation

Abstract

Using one year of jury trial outcomes from 45 of the nation's most populous counties, this article shows a strong and statistically significant correlation between compensatory and punitive damages. These findings are replicated in 25 years of punitive damages awards from Cook County, Illinois, and California. In addition, we find no evidence that punitive damages awards are more likely when individuals sue businesses than when individuals sue individuals. With respect to award frequency, juries rarely award punitive damages and appear to be especially reluctant to do so in the areas of law that have captured the most attention, products liability and medical malpractice. Punitive damages are most frequently awarded in business/contract cases and intentional tort cases. The frequency-of-award findings are consistent with all major studies of punitive damages.

Publication Citation

Published in: Journal of Legal Studies, vol. 26, no. 2, part 2 (June 1997).

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