LAW 101 Chapter Notes -Punitive Damages, Motel 6, Bed Bug
Document Summary
The plaintiff"s burl and desiree mathias were bitten by bedbugs during their stay at the motel 6 in downtown chicago. They filed a lawsuit against the corporation alleging that the personnel refused to act in response to numerous guest complaints of bedbugs in their rooms. The plaintiff"s sought compensatory and punitive damages for the company"s engaging in reckless or. The defendant argued they were not reckless and punitive damages were unwarranted. Was the company liable for punitive damages: holding (answer) Punitive damages are not issued to compensate victims, but to punish the wrongdoer and prevent them as well as others from conducting similar conduct in the future. They are not commonly assessed in tort cases, but reserved for more severe cases. It is open for judgment to award these damages along with compensatory damages or not. The amount of punitive damages awarded is measured by proper deterrence.
