Under Wis. Stat. § 895.043, punitive damages are available only when the defendant acted maliciously toward the plaintiff or in intentional disregard of the plaintiff's rights — a much higher bar than ordinary negligence.
The Legal Standard
Punitive damages are generally capped at twice the compensatory award or $200,000, whichever is greater.
Typical Scenarios
Drunk driving, hit-and-run, and egregious corporate misconduct are the kinds of facts that can support a punitive claim.
Because the standard is demanding, an attorney's evaluation is essential before counting on punitive recovery.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Injury Claim Team is a free attorney-matching service, not a law firm. For advice about your specific situation, talk to a licensed Wisconsin attorney — we'll connect you at no cost.