Are punitive damages available in a school bus accident case?

Punitive damages may be available in a school bus accident case in California. Punitive damages are designed to punish wrongdoers for actions that are especially egregious. They are meant to deter similar actions in the future. In a school bus accident case, the injured party must prove either intentional or reckless misconduct on the part of the other party in order to be eligible for punitive damages. Intentional misconduct is when a person deliberately engages in behavior that is likely to cause harm, while reckless misconduct is when a person does something that is extremely careless and poses a risk of harm to others. Moreover, punitive damages are also meant to serve as a civil penalty for the wrongdoer, rather than to compensate the injured person for their losses. Therefore, punitive damages can be awarded in addition to any compensatory damages that the injured person is awarded. In California, to be eligible for punitive damages, the injured person must prove that the other party acted with fraud, malice, or oppression. They must also demonstrate that they suffered an economic injury as a result of the accident. If these requirements are met, then punitive damages may be awarded to the injured person.

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Are punitive damages available in a school bus accident case?

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