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Sponsor seeks evidentiary step for punitive-damages claims; opponents say it would cause delay and hurt contamination victims
Summary
Representative Anthony Nicastro introduced House Bill 302, which would create an evidentiary‑hearing procedure for motions to add punitive‑damages claims so courts can test supporting evidence before allowing the claim.
Representative Anthony Nicastro (sponsor) told the committee House Bill 302 addresses perceived overuse of punitive‑damages claims by allowing courts to hold an evidentiary hearing when a party moves to amend a complaint to add punitive damages. Nicastro said the change would let judges assess whether testimony and evidence actually support punitive claims and would curb plaintiffs’ use of punitive allegations to extract larger settlements.
Proponents: Charles Robinson of the…
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