US Lawyer Database

34-51-3-1. Applicability of Chapter

Sec. 1. This chapter applies to all cases in which a party requests the recovery of punitive damages in a civil action. [Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-34-1.] As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.47.

34-51-3-2. Necessity of Evidence of Facts

Sec. 2. Before a person may recover punitive damages in any civil action, that person must establish, by clear and convincing evidence, all of the facts that are relied upon by that person to support the recovery of punitive damages. [Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-34-2.] As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.47.

34-51-3-3. Restrictions on Jury Instructions

Sec. 3. A jury in a case subject to this chapter may not be advised of: (1) the limitation on the amount of a punitive damage award under section 4 of this chapter; or (2) the requirement under section 6 of this chapter concerning allocation of money received in payment of a punitive damage award. […]

34-51-3-4. Maximum Award of Damages

Sec. 4. A punitive damage award may not be more than the greater of: (1) three (3) times the amount of compensatory damages awarded in the action; or (2) fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). [Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-34-4.] As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.47.

34-51-3-5. Reduction of Excessive Damage Award

Sec. 5. If a trier of fact awards punitive damages that exceed the limitation under section 4 of this chapter, the court shall reduce the punitive damage award to not more than the greater of: (1) three (3) times the amount of compensatory damages awarded in the action; or (2) fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). [Pre-1998 […]

34-51-3-0.2. Application of Prior Law

Sec. 0.2. The addition of IC 34-4-34-3, IC 34-4-34-4, IC 34-4-34-5, and IC 34-4-34-6 (before their repeal, now codified in this chapter) by P.L.278-1995 applies to a cause of action that accrues after June 30, 1995. As added by P.L.220-2011, SEC.576.