I am not an attorney, but my sister works in the legal system in Oregon. If the state is issuing a fine, then it would not go to this couple, it would go to the state. The only monetary damages that a plaintiff can collect would have to be proven in court as some sort of tangible financial loss. They can be compensated to for this if they can prove it. Things like losing sleep and crying in one’s Cheerios would be considered punitive and the state keeps that money for itself.
I would like to find out for certain if this is a judgment or a fine because there is a big difference between the two things.
OK, from what I see under Oregon law up to 20% of any punitive damage award goes to the plaintiff’s lawyer. After that, the state gets 60% of the remainder, the plaintiff gets 30%, and the Attorney General gets 10%. So if this is a judgment of punitive damages, the most the plaintiffs can recover is $33,120. But I keep seeing the word “fine.” We all know who collects fines.
Whatever the case, I surely hope this all get reversed and no one gets anything.