Are punitive damages available in a school bus accident case?

In Minnesota, punitive damages are not available in the case of a school bus accident. Punitive damages are legal damages paid to a victim of an accident, which are designed to punish the offender and make them pay for their actions. These damages are generally reserved for cases of extreme negligence or intentional wrong-doing. In the case of school bus accidents, Minnesota law states that punitive damages cannot be awarded. Instead, the victim of the accident can pursue a negligence claim, which is based on the idea that the defendant did not act as a reasonable person would have in the same circumstances. This includes paying for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering as well as any other damages caused by the school bus accident. Given the unique legal status of school buses in Minnesota, the potential for punitive damages in such cases is extremely limited. This is because buses are protected by the state’s governmental immunity statute, which prevents lawsuits against the government or government employees. While the victim can still pursue a negligence claim if they were injured by the bus driver’s negligence, punitive damages are not available in this case.

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Are punitive damages available in a school bus accident case?

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