What Are Punitive Damages in New Mexico? 

Not all accidents are caused by criminal behavior. Even if an accident is caused by someone’s criminal actions, they might not be punished adequately in criminal court for what they did. Particularly in the case of companies, it’s not always easy to hold them accountable for criminal or negligent activities.

The civil court system does offer an outlet for those who’ve been wronged due to negligent or reckless behavior. If you were injured in an accident and criminal court won’t get you the justice you’re after, you might be seeking justice through the civil court process.

One of the ways to receive justice in civil court is to financially punish the party that committed the wrongful behavior. Punitive damages are one way to punish the party or parties whose actions caused you harm. So what are punitive damages in New Mexico? 

Understanding Punitive Damages in New Mexico

There are two main categories of damages that can be awarded in civil court: compensatory damages and punitive damages.

Compensatory damages are meant to compensate or pay back the victim for the monetary losses they’ve been forced to deal with and for the suffering they endured.

Punitive damages are not awarded with the intention of compensating the victim. These types of damages are meant to punish the defendant for wrongful behavior. These damages are meant to deter the defendant from engaging in the same type of wrongful behavior again.

New Mexico doesn’t have a cap on punitive damages, which means punitive damages range widely. The only caps on damages that New Mexico law defines are for claims against the government and certain medical malpractice cases.

Get in Touch with a New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer

Now you understand a little more about what punitive damages are in New Mexico. If you have a personal injury case, feel free to reach out to an attorney who can help you reach your claim goals. Call a New Mexico injury attorney at Will Ferguson & Associates to discuss your claim in a free case consultation. Dial 505-594-3712, or complete the form below.