Punitive Damage Multipliers: A Game-Changer in Mass Tort Litigation
The article discusses the use of punitive damage multipliers as a potential solution to the unpredictability of punitive damage awards in mass tort and class action lawsuits. Instead of awarding varying amounts of punitive damages in each case, a multiplier approach sets a fixed ratio between punitive and compensatory damages based on the defendant's conduct. The U.S. Supreme Court has suggested this approach to decrease uncertainty in punitive awards. While not widely adopted yet, the use of punitive damage multipliers could streamline complex litigation by providing a more consistent and efficient way to determine punitive damages.