Can a plaintiff in a defamation case collect punitive damages?

Yes, a plaintiff in a defamation case can collect punitive damages in the state of Oklahoma. Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are damages awarded to a plaintiff in a civil case in order to punish the defendant and to set an example to deter others from committing similar acts. These damages are considered separate from compensatory damages, which are damages meant to compensate the plaintiff for losses stemming from the defendant’s actions. In Oklahoma, state statutes permit a plaintiff to recover punitive damages in a defamation action provided that the plaintiff can prove that the defendant’s behavior was malicious or done with reckless disregard for the truth. In order to recover punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s actions were particularly egregious, and not just negligent. In short, a plaintiff may be able to receive punitive damages in a defamation lawsuit filed in Oklahoma if they can prove that the defendant acted with malicious or reckless disregard for the truth.

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Can a plaintiff in a defamation case collect punitive damages?

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