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I'm not a legal mind, but these are punitive damages, not compensatory ones. The couple didn't endure $2 billion worth of suffering, but Monsanto did commit $2
by brianpgordon 7y ago
I'm not a legal mind, but these are punitive damages, not compensatory ones. The couple didn't endure $2 billion worth of suffering, but Monsanto did commit $2 billion worth of misconduct.
- mars4rp 7y agoso shouldn't it go to the government instead? if the couple didn't suffer for $2B, why should they get it? they should get enough for their suffering, and the rest should go to government for public health.
- fucking_tragedy 7y agoThis case will pave the way for future class action lawsuits, and perhaps criminal or regulatory cases. If someone is stuck on the fact that the jury awarded a couple of people punitive damages, they're missing the forest for the trees.
- rootusrootus 7y agoWhy would this make someone want to participate in a class action? Seems like it would do the opposite. Who doesn't want to be a billionaire?
- fucking_tragedy 7y agoCourts are less likely to award further punitive damages. Those who doesn't have the resources to go against Monsanto's lawyers would have incentives to participate in a class action lawsuit.
- ndiscussion 7y agoI dunno, that's just how it works here.
- tomp 7y agoProbably a bad incentive. Government should remain impartial, easier if they don't receive the money involved.
- petercooper 7y agoIf the IRS didn't have a specific exemption for award settlements for personal injury cases, the government would be getting 30-40% of it, at least.