Will the person who caused my injury get punished in a personal injury lawsuit?
Brandon J. Broderick, Personal Injury Attorney at Law
If you are injured in an accident and plan to sue in a personal injury lawsuit, you may be already going through a lot of pain, stress and anxiety. However, if someone was at fault, you may be wondering that the person will be punished in your case.
We will address this concern in the following article. But, if you were hurt in an accident and have a valid case, the facts and circumstances surrounding the accident will play a huge role. The best step to take after an accident occurs is retaining?Brandon J. Broderick, Personal Injury Attorney at Law. We have helped countless accident victims get the compensation they deserve and hold liable parties responsible.
Will the Liable Party Be Criminally Punished in a Personal Injury Case?
The answer is no, because criminal cases — not civil cases — are the type of cases that result in punishment. A defendant in a civil action for personal injury is not subject to a jail sentence or a severe financial fine as a form of punishment. A personal injury lawsuit belongs in the category of civil conflicts, whereas that is an illustration of a criminal judgment.
Punitive damages, on the other hand, may be granted by juries and courts in situations when the offender intentionally caused harm to the plaintiff. These types of damages are rarely given out though.
Whether or not a criminal action is taken against a party that has caused you harm depends on the circumstances. If the action was intentional in an effort to hurt you, criminal charges may be filed with the police. However, this isn't a part of the personal injury process.
What Does a Typical Personal Injury Case Look Like?