[CFW]

“I’m all for making the greens pay for damages, but $135,000,000? How much was the Harris’s property worth before the damage occurred? “

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The Harris’ property and that surrounding it, including the aquatic life in their pond, is probably damaged for their life time and probably their children’s as well. The harm caused can not be easily rectified. Not to mention the harm to their enjoyment of their property. The majority of the award was punitive. That is meant to punish the defendant’s behavior so they will not repeat that behavior in the future and such an award has no bearing on the monetary value of the land itself. Punitive damages are MEANT to hurt.

[hanamizu]

Punitive damages are MEANT to hurt.

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I understand all of that and get the reason why it’s there. But is there a limit as to how much punishment is reasonable? In any case I doubt that the victims will see very much of any of that money. Perhaps their heirs...