The Kentucky Supreme Court recently issued an extraordinary and inspiriting decision regarding punitive damages under Kentucky law. In St. Joseph Healthcare v. Thomas, our High Court explained the purpose of punitive damages under Kentucky law:
The purpose behind any award of punitive damages is "to further a State's legitimate interests in punishing unlawful conduct and deterring its repetition. Historically, "punitive" or "exemplary" damages are given to the plaintiff over and above the full compensation for his injuries, for the purpose of punishing the defendant, or teaching him not to do it again, and of deterring others from following his example.
Lexington, Kentucky injury lawyer Robert Abell represents individuals and families injured by the intentional and negligent wrongdoing of others; contact him at 859-254-7076.
