Now the group, which represents business interests, is opposing a laundry list of bills fluttering about Capitol Hill, which the chamber says would make it easier to organize a union, expand worker benefits at the expense of employers and lift the caps on punitive damages sought by employees in lawsuits.
In exchange, the companies were given immunity from class-action suits and punitive damages based on past acts.
The only thing more impressive than Exxon's profits may be its lawyers: In its argument, the oil giant points to an 1818 maritime decision by the Supreme Court which says a company isn't liable for punitive damages based on the "wanton acts" of a ship's captain.
Analysts are sanguine about the loss, even though punitive damages could be on the way.
Baker ruled that punitive damages may be awarded in maritime cases only on a 1:1 ratio with compensatory damages.
The punitive damages award suggests that all this made a powerful impression on the jury, but whether it will stand up on appeal is another matter.
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Lawyers for George Zimmerman are seeking punitive damages from NBC over edits of a police call he made on the night Trayvon Martin was killed.
The judge also agreed to rule out punitive damages against Cameron International, the manufacturer of the blowout preventer on the ill-fated Deepwater Horizon rig, which was rocked by an explosion and fire in 2010 that killed 11 workers and touched off the enormous spill.
On August 27, 2010, representing himself, plaintiff filed a verified complaint for damages, including punitive damages.
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Generally speaking, punitive damages are not meant to compensate the victim as much as to deter similar negligent behavior on behalf of the wrongdoer in the future.
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News of the World editor Colin Myler said the paper was pleased at the lack of punitive damages, but added that "our press is less free today after another judgement based on privacy laws emanating from Europe".
Michael Greve of the American Enterprise Institute worries that businesses will embrace Miers in the belief that she will give them relief from punitive damages, a pet concern, without considering how her lack of judicial experience might affect rulings on more important issues.
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