in ny how can you get triple damages from a lawyer

by Ms. Athena Haag 9 min read

A person who is seeking double or treble damage must claim the award in their initial complaint with the court. The plaintiff is considered to have waived their right to double or treble damage if they did not specifically request it in their complaint or in a motion early on in trial.

Full Answer

Are treble damages from another state enforceable in New York?

Apr 13, 2017 · Anita Bernstein writes: Depending how you count, there are approximately 62 statutory provisions for treble damages in New York law. Read together, most of them share an interest in vulnerable people.

Can a plaintiff get double and treble damages?

Apr 13, 2017 · Anita Bernstein writes: Depending how you count there are approximately 62 statutory provisions for treble damages in New York law. Read together most of them share an interest in vulnerable people.

Are punitive damages possible in New York civil litigation?

You might be able to get "triple damages" for any losses or costs caused by the illegal eviction. You should keep proof of expenses that you had because of the illegal eviction. If you cannot get a lawyer to help you, you can sue your landlord in Small Claims Court. You should know that the amount you can win is limited in Small Claims Court.

How do I get treble damages in a civil case?

Punitive damages in New York, New York normally cannot exceed 10 times the amount of actual damages suffered by the plaintiff. However, this is just a guideline, and not a strict rule. Courts in New York have found larger punitive damage awards to be perfectly valid, and smaller ones to be invalid. This will be highly dependent on the facts of ...

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Is there a cap on punitive damages in NY?

There is no cap on punitive damages in New York. The same is true with compensatory damages in New York. When punitive damages are awarded, the amount is typically substantial.Oct 8, 2021

What is the most common type of damages awarded by a court?

General Damages. General damages cover the loss directly and necessarily incurred by the breach of contract. General damages are the most common type of damages awarded for breaches of contract.

How are compensatory damages calculated?

Add up the total replacement cost for your items. Add the other costs and fees that you have incurred in prosecuting the lawsuit, including your attorney fees, postage and filing fees. You can also include other losses for which you are entitled to compensation, such as loss of work or loss of lifestyle.

What is meant by exemplary damages?

DEFINITION. In Black's Law dictionary 'punitive/ exemplary damages' is defined as 'Damages awarded in addition to actual damages when the defendant acted with recklessness, malice, or deceit; specif., damages assessed by way of penalizing the wrongdoer or making an example to others.Feb 14, 2020

What are the 3 types of compensatory damages?

The three types of damages are economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

What are the 3 remedies at law?

There are three types of equitable remedies: specific performance, injunction, and restitution.

How are damages awarded?

The general rule is that damages are meant to place the claimant in the same position as if the contract had been performed. Damages are usually awarded for expectation loss (loss of a bargain) or reliance loss (wasted expenditure).

Which injuries are eligible for compensatory damages?

General Compensatory Damages
  • Disfigurement.
  • Mental anguish.
  • Future lost wages.
  • Future medical expenses.
  • Loss of consortium.
  • Long-term physical pain and suffering.
  • Loss of opportunity.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.
Apr 6, 2022

Can you claim compensation twice for the same thing?

You can pursue both a Criminal Injury Compensation claim and a civil claim at the same time. If you are successful in both claims then you will need to repay money to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, as you are not able to receive compensation twice for the same injury.Jan 13, 2017

What are vindictive damages?

Exemplary or Vindictive Damages

These damages are awarded against the party who has committed a breach of the contract with the object of punishing the erring as defaulting party and to compensate the aggrieved party. Generally, these damages are awarded in case of action on lost or breach of promise.

What are substantial damages?

Substantial damages are awarded as a means to compensate a plaintiff where they have suffered an actual loss. Substantial damages can be either general or special.Jan 27, 2021

What are examples of punitive damages?

Individuals can also be ordered to pay punitive damages that injure someone else due to negligent behavior. Examples of this would be drunk driving or distracted driving. In both cases, the defendant would have made a conscious decision to engage in behavior that could easily harm another person.

When can a court award triple damages?

court to award triple damages: When the statute specifically authorizes the court to do so. When the defendant’s actions were driven by malicious intent.

How to calculate treble damages?

Typically, treble damages are calculated by taking the value of actual damages or compensatory damages and multiplying it by three.

What is the objective of treble damages?

The objective is to “punish” and “deter” future violators of the law. Another aspect differentiating punitive damages and treble damages is that treble damages can only be awarded when the law expressly authorizes it whereas punitive damages can be awarded at the discretion of the court.

What is a triple treble?

Treble damages or treble charges in the United States refers to a sum of money representing three times the value of the compensatory damages awarded by the court to a plaintiff. To say “ treble damages ” is to say “ triple damages ”. The primary purpose for multiple damages is to provide additional compensation to ...

What does it mean when a company is ordered to pay treble damages?

When a person or company is ordered to pay treble damages, they are being asked to pay an amount of money over and above the actual damages they had caused to another. In other words, they are being punished by law or by the court for violating the law.

How much can a court condemn a defendant for?

The statute grants the right to the court to condemn the defendant for an amount up to three times the proven damages. The court finds that the wrongdoer acted willfully. The court exercises its discretion to award treble damages in the circumstances.

What is the purpose of multiple damages?

The primary purpose for multiple damages is to provide additional compensation to the victim rather than to punish the offender. Treble damages are designed to encourage those who have suffered damages in a context that is prejudicial or adverse to society to take legal action against the defendant.

How much can punitive damages be in New York?

Punitive damages in New York, New York normally cannot exceed 10 times the amount of actual damages suffered by the plaintiff. However, this is just a guideline, and not a strict rule. Courts in New York have found larger punitive damage awards to be perfectly valid, and smaller ones to be invalid.

Why are punitive damages not awarded in New York?

Punitive Damages in New York, New York are not awarded lightly, because the civil justice system typically disfavors giving plaintiffs financial windfalls not directly related to compensating them for their injuries. They are usually only awarded when the conduct of the defendant is morally reprehensible, and far worse than simple carelessness.

What is civil litigation in New York?

The civil litigation system in New York, New York is designed to provide compensation for individuals who are injured because of the unlawful conduct of others. It is not much concerned with punishing or deterring wrongdoers. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule.

Is accidental harm a punitive damages?

In New York, New York, accidental harm may be enough to award the plaintiff compensatory damages, but it is not enough for punitive damages. In New York, New York, punitive damages are only awarded in extreme situations. Civil wrongs such as fraud, conversion (theft), battery, and other intentional, depraved acts are sufficient to award punitive ...

Does New York have punitive damages?

New York, New York's courts have wide discretion in awarding punitive damages. Accordingly, it is impractical to comprehensively discuss all the situations in which punitive damages can arise.

Do you have to pay a plaintiff in New York?

Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. In New York, New York, courts will, in relatively rare cases, require defendants to pay plaintiffs sums of money which aren't calculated by the actual harm and costs the plaintiff has incurred. Rather, these "punitive damages," as they are called, are meant to punish and deter wrongdoing.

Can punitive damages be too disproportionate?

Punitive damages can't be too disproportionate to the actual damages that the plaintiff has suffered. Appeals courts have found that excessive punitive damage awards violate the defendant's right to due process, by depriving them of massive amounts of property. Punitive damages in New York, New York normally cannot exceed 10 times the amount ...

Who is the New York property damage lawyer?

The New York Property damage lawyers at Rosenbaum & Taylor fully understand your property rights and will try as much as they can to ensure that you are fairly compensated. Apart from investigating your case and ensuring that your rights are protected, we will help with the paperwork associated with filing a property damage claim.

How to contact a lawyer after a property is damaged?

If you need our legal services, call us at (914) 326-2660 for a free consultation to discuss your case and know about the legal options ideal for your case.

How do insurance companies protect their bottom line?

Insurance companies protect their bottom line by not horning a binding contract like an insurance policy. This is bad faith and a civil injury. If you prove a breach of the insurance contract or “ bad faith claim ” against your insurance company, you are supposed to get statutory damages.

Do property insurance companies take advantage of their clients?

Ideally, property insurance companies are supposed to protect their clients. However, this is not what happens as some insurance companies take advantage of their clients. An experienced property damage lawyer can help protect you against insurance companies that want to take advantage of you. Our NY property damage lawyers can help those who own the following properties:

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What are the two types of damages in a lawsuit?

Lawsuit damages typically fall into two categories: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages compensate you for some harm or damage, such as physical injury, lost wages, lost income, or interference with your business. They're also sometimes referred to as actual damages. Punitive damages act as punishment and are typically awarded in addition to compensatory damages. Because treble damages are also punitive in nature, you may not be able to request both these and punitive damages in your lawsuit – it's double-dipping in eyes of some courts. This can vary by state, however. When calculating treble damages, the court triples your compensatory award, not the punitive damages. You don’t get the original compensatory damages in addition to three times the amount – you receive three times the amount in lieu of the original compensatory award.

Why do courts award treble damages?

Courts generally award treble damages as a deterrent . The intention is to convince the defendant – or anyone else considering the same crime, for that matter – that he really doesn't want to commit the illegal act again because the repercussions might be far greater than he ever anticipated.

What happens when you calculate treble damages?

When calculating treble damages, the court triples your compensatory award, not the punitive damages. You don’t get the original compensatory damages in addition to three times the amount – you receive three times the amount in lieu of the original compensatory award.

What is treble damages?

Treble damages are a concept provided for by law in certain types of lawsuits. If you're the plaintiff and the court rules in your favor, it can go one step further and award you three times the amount of certain damages.

Do you pay taxes on treble damages?

Although recoveries under tort lawsuits are not generally subject to federal income tax, the Internal Revenue Service taxes you on at least a portion of treble damages. Only the amount of your original award is exempt from taxation. You must claim the other two-thirds as income.

Is treble damages a punitive or compensatory?

Punitive damages act as punishment and are typically awarded in addition to compensatory damages. Because treble damages are also punitive in nature, you may not be able to request both these and punitive damages in your lawsuit – it's double-dipping in eyes of some courts.

How much can you get for a double and triple claim?

However, if the jurisdiction allows double and treble damage awards, the plaintiff may be awarded $4,000 (double) or even $6,000 (treble).

What is double treble damages?

Since double and treble damages sometimes require intentional wrongdoing on the part of the defendant, they are usually classified as punitive damages rather than general or compensatory damages. In other words, "double" and "treble" damages serve the purpose of punishing the defendant, rather than compensating the plaintiff for losses.

What happens if a state does not have a double treble statute?

If the state does not have such a statute, it is likely that the personal injury victim will not be able to obtain them. Request. The plaintiff must specifically claim their right to double and treble damages when they file their lawsuit.

How much money can you get for medical malpractice?

Some states limit medical malpractice awards to a sum of about $250,000 to $500,000.

Which states have treble damages limits?

States that enforce limits for medical malpractice damage awards include: California. Colorado. Florida. Maryland. Massachusetts. Michigan.

Can you claim double damage in a motion?

A person who is seeking double or treble damage must claim the award in their initial complaint with the court. The plaintiff is considered to have waived their right to double or treble damage if they did not specifically request it in their complaint or in a motion early on in trial.

Who created the punitive damages rules?

The law firm McCullough, Campbell & Lane, LLP created a detailed list of the rules governing the interplay of punitive damages and insurance in all 50 states, including New York:

What is tort system in New York?

New York’s tort system (the system that allows injured people to recover against the people or entities that caused their injuries through negligence, malpractice and intentional conduct,) generally allows an injured person to only be compensated for actual economic and non-economic injuries directly related to his or her injuries.

Is punitive damages uninsurable in New York?

Unfortunately, it appears claims for punitive damages are generally uninsurable in New York. New York’s Court have ruled the public policy underlying a claim for punitive damages – that tortfeasors actually endure punishment in order to deter future bad conduct – is eradicated if insurance companies simply pick up the tab.

Is vicariously assessed punitive damages insurable in New York?

Vicariously assessed punitive damages are not insurable in New York. See Zurich Ins. Co., 642 N.E.2d 1065.

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