All articles tagged with #punitive damages
A California federal judge awarded Hunter Biden $1.7 million in punitive damages (plus $1 nominal) in a defamation suit against former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne, who had falsely claimed Biden sought an $800 million bribe from Iran. Byrne defaulted after failing to appear at trial, with the court sanctioning him for delay and misrepresentation, finding the statements were knowingly false and made with malice.
A Los Angeles jury awarded $22 million in punitive damages against a California socialite and a former Dodgers player in a case involving a fatal crosswalk crash, after evidence suggested she was speeding (about 73 mph in a 45 mph zone) and following another vehicle; the defense argued intoxication was not proven and stressed disputed details, while the verdict underscores egregious conduct in the incident.
Jurors ordered Rebecca Grossman to pay $21 million and former Dodger Scott Erickson $1.17 million in punitive damages for the 2020 Westlake Village crosswalk crash that killed two Iskander brothers, bringing punitive damages to about $22.17 million after a prior $176 million in compensatory damages; plaintiffs allege the two drank and engaged in a speed contest, while defense argues they were not impaired or racing; Grossman remains imprisoned with a sentence of 15 years to life for related criminal convictions.
A civil jury increased the Iskander family’s award to $198M in the 2020 Westlake Village crosswalk crash, awarding $176M in compensatory damages plus $21M punitive against Rebecca Grossman and $1.17M punitive against Scott Erickson, with both found liable for the deaths of two boys; Grossman is serving 15-to-life for murder and Erickson was found negligent, with appeals likely.
In a Westlake Village civil case over the 2020 crosswalk crash that killed brothers Mark (11) and Jacob (8) Iskander, former Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson testified that, despite a $46 million career, he has little money now as jurors weigh additional punitive damages against him and Rebecca Grossman, who was convicted of second‑degree murder. The Iskanders were awarded about $176 million in wrongful‑death damages, and the punitive phase centers on whether Erickson and Grossman acted in concert or engaged in street racing. Prosecutors say asset concealment (trusts, crypto, etc.) is relevant, while defense argues there’s no basis for punitive damages beyond the underlying tragedy.
A California civil jury found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in 1972, awarding $59.25 million in damages—including $17.5 million for past harms, $1.75 million for future harms, and $40 million in punitive damages—with Cosby planning to appeal.
A California jury ordered Bill Cosby to pay $59.25 million to Donna Motsinger in a civil suit alleging he drugged and raped her in 1972, with $40 million in punitive damages and $19.25 million for past mental trauma; Cosby plans to appeal amid questions about his finances.
A California jury awarded Donna Motsinger $19 million in a civil case accusing Bill Cosby of drugging and raping her in 1972; Cosby says the encounter was consensual, and the verdict also included punitive damages.
A federal judge in Miami refused to overturn a $243 million jury verdict against Tesla over a 2019 Autopilot crash in Key Largo, upholding partial fault for Tesla (the jury assigned 33% responsibility) and the awarded compensatory damages of $19.5 million to Benavides’ estate and $23.1 million to Angulo, plus $200 million in punitive damages to be split between them; Tesla plans to appeal.
Justin Sane, former frontman of Anti-Flag, was ordered to pay nearly $2 million in a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Kristina Sarhadi, who accused him of violent rape in 2010. The court awarded her $1,170,800 in damages and $750,000 in punitive damages after Sane defaulted on the case, as he did not respond and allegedly transferred his assets abroad. Sarhadi, a holistic therapist, shared her trauma and expressed hope for justice and accountability for survivors of abuse.
A jury has ordered Walmart to pay nearly $35 million to former truck driver Jesus Fonseca, who was wrongfully terminated after being falsely accused of workers' compensation fraud. Fonseca, who was injured in a work-related accident, was awarded $25 million in punitive damages and $9.7 million for future non-economic losses. The jury found that Walmart violated its integrity policy and failed to accommodate Fonseca's medical restrictions, leading to his termination. The verdict highlights the need for companies to handle employee integrity issues with care and honesty.
Boeing's rough start to 2024 continued as Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 experienced a door plug blowout just 10 minutes after takeoff, leading to a lawsuit from 22 passengers and a separate suit seeking punitive damages of up to $1 billion.
Climate scientist Michael Mann has won a defamation case against two conservative writers, with a jury ruling that they defamed Mann through their statements. Mann, known for his work on climate change, was awarded over $1 million in damages after suing the writers for online posts published over a decade ago. The ruling is seen as a potential deterrent to public attacks on climate scientists, amid increasing assaults on their work.
Former President Donald Trump has been ordered to pay journalist E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million for defamation, with $65 million in punitive damages. Trump plans to appeal the decision, and he is not required to pay the damages immediately. Punitive damages are intended to punish and deter the defendant's behavior, and the appeal process for such damages is lengthy. If Trump loses the appeal and fails to pay, the court could seize his assets or hold him in contempt. The high amount of punitive damages aims to punish Trump's behavior and deter future misconduct, but it has raised questions about the court system's approach to such cases.
Former President Donald Trump walked out of the courtroom during closing arguments in a defamation trial where E Jean Carroll is seeking at least $10m for Trump's denial of her rape allegation, causing reputational harm. Trump's lawyer argued against making him pay for comments that led to hate messages, while Carroll's legal team urged jurors to hold him accountable and deter future defamation. The jury will now decide on compensatory and punitive damages.