CALA Slingshots : Punitive Damages
Far Beyond Compensation
Perhaps the public has become desensitized to the enormity of some jury verdicts. Had Monday’s $117 million award against Phillips Chemical been rendered last year it would have ranked as the nation’s twelfth largest verdict. This for a case in which the jury found Phillips neither intentionally nor knowingly caused injury.

Realistically, one cannot build a plant in which no accidents will occur. So we are left with two choices: Don’t make the product or build a plant as safely as we can and fairly compensate victims of accidents. The vast majority of the Phillips award--$110 million in punitive damages—had nothing to do with compensating the family.

Cora Sue Mach


Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse
2500 City West Boulevard, Suite 300 • Houston, Texas 77042
E-mail: sosueme@ • Administrative: (713) 267-2302 • Fax: (713) 267-2267