Enhanced Damages vs Punitive Damages
In New Hampshire, punitive damages are not allowed under the law when filing an injury lawsuit. Only compensatory damages are allowed in NH. Punitive damages are “penalties” and are designed to punish the person or company responsible. The most obvious example of this is with tobacco. Cigarette manufacturers faced large punitive damage verdicts when the juries were advised about what they knew about cigarettes causing cancer, and whether they hid any of those facts. Unlike other states, NH does not allow this type of damage. New Hampshire does, however, have “enhanced compensatory damages”. Enhanced compensatory damages result in a jury being instructed to double the damages if the facts warrant a finding for enhanced damages. However, these damages are “compensatory” and not designed to punish….
