§ 16-55-208. Limitations on the amount of punitive damages
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a punitive damages award for each plaintiff shall not be more than the greater of the following: (1) Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000); or (2) Three (3) times the amount of compensatory damages awarded in the action, not to exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000). […]
§ 16-55-209. No right to punitive damages
Nothing in § 16-55-201 et seq. and §§ 16-114-206(a), 16-114-208(a), 16-114-208(c)(1), 16-114-209, and 16-114-210 — 16-114-212 shall be construed as creating a right to an award of punitive damages.
§ 16-55-210. No limitation on certain judicial duties
Nothing in § 16-55-201 et seq. and §§ 16-114-206(a), 16-114-208(a), 16-114-208(c)(1), 16-114-209, and 16-114-210 — 16-114-212 shall limit the duty of a court or the appellate courts to: (1) Scrutinize all punitive damages awards; (2) Ensure that all punitive damages awards comply with applicable procedural, evidentiary, and constitutional requirements; and (3) Order remittitur where appropriate.
§ 16-55-211. Bifurcated proceeding
(a) (1) In any case in which punitive damages are sought, any party may request a bifurcated proceeding at least ten (10) days prior to trial. (2) If a bifurcated proceeding has been requested by either party, then: (A) The finder of fact first shall determine whether compensatory damages are to be awarded; and (B) […]
§ 16-55-212. Compensatory damages
(a) Section 16-55-201 et seq. and §§ 16-114-206(a), 16-114-208(a), 16-114-208(c)(1), 16-114-209, and 16-114-210 — 16-114-212 do not limit compensatory damages. (b) Any evidence of damages for the costs of any necessary medical care, treatment, or services received shall include only those costs actually paid by or on behalf of the plaintiff or which remain unpaid […]
§ 16-55-214. Maximum appeal bond in civil litigation
(a) Appeal bonds shall be determined under § 16-68-301 et seq., and Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure — Civil, Rule 8, except that the maximum appeal bond that may be required in any civil action under any legal theory shall be limited to twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000), regardless of the amount of the judgment. (b) […]
§ 16-55-215. Burden of proof
Section 16-55-201 et seq. and §§ 16-114-206(a), 16-114-208(a), 16-114-208(c)(1), 16-114-209, and 16-114-210 — 16-114-212 do not amend the existing law that provides that the burden of alleging and proving fault is upon the person who seeks to establish fault.
§ 16-55-216. Comparative fault
Section 16-55-201 et seq. and §§ 16-114-206(a), 16-114-208(a), 16-114-208(c)(1), and 16-114-209 — 16-114-212 do not amend existing law that provides that a plaintiff may not recover any amount of damages if the plaintiff’s own fault is determined to be fifty percent (50%) or greater.
§ 16-55-217. Cause of action not created
(a) Section 16-55-201 et seq. and §§ 16-114-206(a), 16-114-208(a), 16-114-208(c)(1), and 16-114-209 — 16-114-212 do not create a cause of action. (b) Section 16-55-201 et seq. and §§ 16-114-206(a), 16-114-208(a), 16-114-208(c)(1), and 16-14-209 — 16-114-212 do not alter the defenses or immunity of any person or entity.
§ 16-55-218. Attorney General
No provision of § 16-55-201 et seq. and §§ 16-114-206(a), 16-114-208(a), 16-114-208(c)(1), and 16-114-209 — 16-114-212 shall apply to or alter existing law with respect to any claim, charge, action, or suit brought or prosecuted by the Attorney General.