In order to recover punitive damages from a defendant, a plaintiff has the burden of proving that the defendant is liable for compensatory damages and that either or both of the following aggravating factors were present and related to the injury for which compensatory damages were awarded:
(1) The defendant knew or ought to have known, in light of the surrounding circumstances, that his or her conduct would naturally and probably result in injury or damage and that he or she continued the conduct with malice or in reckless disregard of the consequences, from which malice may be inferred; or
(2) The defendant intentionally pursued a course of conduct for the purpose of causing injury or damage.
Structure Arkansas Code
Title 16 - Practice, Procedure, And Courts
Subtitle 5 - Civil Procedure Generally
Chapter 55 - General Provisions
Subchapter 2 - Civil Justice Reform Act of 2003
§ 16-55-201. Modification of joint and several liability
§ 16-55-202. Assessment of percentages of fault
§ 16-55-203. Increase in percentage of several share
§ 16-55-204. Applicability of § 16-55-203
§ 16-55-205. Acting in concert
§ 16-55-206. Standards for award of punitive damages
§ 16-55-207. Burden of proof for award of punitive damages
§ 16-55-208. Limitations on the amount of punitive damages
§ 16-55-209. No right to punitive damages
§ 16-55-210. No limitation on certain judicial duties
§ 16-55-211. Bifurcated proceeding
§ 16-55-212. Compensatory damages
§ 16-55-214. Maximum appeal bond in civil litigation
§ 16-55-216. Comparative fault
§ 16-55-217. Cause of action not created