CONSUMERS SAY PUNITIVE DAMAGES TOO HIGH

Four of five consumers believe punitive damage awards are either usually (32 percent) or sometimes (50 percent) too high, according to a survey of 1,004 individuals conducted by the Gallup Organization for Best's Review.Seven out of 10 respondents said juries should be allowed to award punitive damages. Of these approximately 700 individuals, nearly three-quarters thought limitations should be set on the amount of the awards.