What type of damages can be recovered from a product liability lawsuit?
A plaintiff in a product liability lawsuit can seek to recover different types of damages, depending on the circumstances of the case. In Washington, the law recognizes various types of compensatory damages that can be recovered for product liability claims. Compensatory damages serve to make the injured party “whole”, which means restoring them as close as possible to their prior condition. This can include economic losses, like medical bills or lost wages, or non-economic losses, like pain and suffering. In some situations, the court can also award punitive damages. These are meant to punish the defendant rather than compensate the plaintiff and can be much higher than the amount of compensatory damages. However, in Washington the standard for punitive damages is very high and the awards are rarely issued. In certain cases, the court can also grant injunctive relief, which is an order of the court that requires the defendant to take certain actions in order to prevent injury or harm in the future. This can be a useful tool to protect the public from dangerous products. Ultimately, the type of damages recovered from a product liability lawsuit will depend on the facts and circumstances of the case and the applicable law in Washington. A qualified attorney can help an injured plaintiff assess their case and determine what type of damages may be available.
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