9/09/2004

Insight into Conduct Leading to Large Punitive Awards

Plaintiffs in discrimination cases are always gunning for the multimillion-dollar punitive damages award. Such awards are relatively rare. In some cases, judges may find triable issues, yet not submit punitives. In others, punitives may be awarded, yet not in such high dollar amounts.

Some fact patterns are more likely than others to lead to submission and awarding of punitives. This case examined in George's Employment Blawg illustrates a couple of these patterns.