Over the last two decades, there has been a push to overturn the closely scrutinized punitive damages law in Maryland. Punitive damages cases in Maryland are extraordinarily rare since the Court of Appeals, in its 1992 ruling in Owens-Illinois v. Zenobia, held a plaintiff’s entitlement to punitive damages must be established by clear and convincing evidence and can only be based on actual malice. The court defined actual malice as an act characterized by evil motive, intent to injure, ill will or fraud. (more…)
23
Mar
2017