Question

Melissa's tugboat accidentally collides with Tyler's yacht, and Tyler sues Melissa for negligence. A federal jury finds Melissa liable and awards Tyler $5,000 in compensatory damages as well as $50 million in punitive damages. Melissa appeals to the United States Supreme Court, challenging the punitive damages award. If the Supreme Court heard the case, it would likely:

Answer 1

Answer:

it would likely overturn the punitive damage award as grossly excessive

Explanation:

Melissa's tugboat accidentally collides with Tyler's yacht, and Tyler sues Melissa for negligence. A federal jury finds Melissa liable and awards Tyler $5,000 in compensatory damages as well as $50 million in punitive damages. Melissa appeals to the United States Supreme Court, challenging the punitive damages award. If the Supreme Court heard the case, it would likely overturn the punitive damage award as grossly excessive because punitive damage are awarded if the compensatory damage are deem inadequate remedy and are awarded both to deter the defendant and others from conduct similar to the conduct that gave rise to the lawsuit.