No. Governmental punishment, such as jail sentences and fines, is the result of a criminal case. A personal injury lawsuit, by contrast, is a civil case.
Defendants in personal injury lawsuits do not receive criminal sentences if the plaintiff wins their case. Rather, the defendant will be ordered to pay a certain amount of money to the plaintiff as compensation for their injuries, known as “damages.”
Note that there is a type of damages viewed as punishment that can be awarded in civil cases. These are known as punitive damages, and they are awarded in cases where the defendant’s conduct was reckless, intentional or malicious. Unlike a fine that goes to the government, however, punitive damages are paid to the plaintiff.
If you have been the victim of an accident, contact Nachawati Law Group today for free legal advice. Simply email us or phone us toll free at 1.866.705.7584.
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About Nachawati Law Group
Nachawati Law Group represents parties in mass tort litigation, businesses and governmental entities in contingent litigation, and individuals in complex personal injury litigation. For more information, visit contact or call 214-890-0711.
