Compensatory and Punitive Damages in Virginia BGL1001

[alexisvw31]

Ben said that punitive damages are rare in Virginia but there are a lot of people who have gotta DUI's that I know, why wouldn't there be any punitive damage on cases like that? How do we show our compensatory damages too, do you gather up a list of everything? Can you show more examples about punitive damages as well. Great vid!

[stephzay1]

I know ben mentioned that Punitive damages are rare in VA but does this mean that most DUI's don't get charged with Punitive damages? I'm a little confused as to why they are rare still.

[treegrip]

I can see why Punitive damages are rare. I imagine the person would have to have done something really bad to have to pay more as a punishment. So if I got hit by a drunk driver and I were to get the Punitive Damage awarded does that include the Compensatory with it or would that be added on?

[TheDkoo]

Even thought both compensatory and punitive both "restore" the victim to their original well being. Would punitive mean that they would pay more than what is originally covered in a case? Would Punitive damages be under emotional distress from an accident. Also, I would like to know more examples about punitive damages.

[emilyebaybailey]

If we are in an accident, how do we prove our compensatory damages? From what I have heard there are a lot of drunk drivers in the state of Virginia, so why are there not more punitive damages? Are drunk drivers not being prosecuted as much as people say they are?

[zd26]

Why are punitive damages rare in Virginia? Are residents of Virginia, as a whole, less likely to start fights or drink and drive than other places in the United States? You said that both compensatory and punitive damages try to restore the victim to his or her state before the accident. Are there any differences between the two in relation to restoring the victim to his or her former health?

[LedHeadRU]

Ben I know you said that punitive damages are rare in Virginia so I was hoping you could be a little more specific in what exactly is a punitive damage. For example when a person gets charged with a DUI after a car accident I have heard they have to pay up to $10,000 just for the DUI ticket. So my point is, can part of that cost be considered punitive damages or would that be separate?