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Civil Litigation

May 18, 2012

Treble punitive damages for elder abuse: are you claiming them?

California statutory law allows for recovery of treble damages for elder abuse in insurance bad faith actions.

Brian S. Kabateck

Founding and Managing Partner, Kabateck LLP

Consumer rights

633 W. Fifth Street Suite 3200
Los Angeles , CA 90071

Phone: 213-217-5000

Email: bsk@kbklawyers.com

Brian represents plaintiffs in personal injury, mass torts litigation, class actions, insurance bad faith, insurance litigation and commercial contingency litigation. He is a former president of Consumer Attorneys of California.

Joshua H. Haffner

Attorney, Haffner Law PC

445 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles , CA 90071

Phone: (213) 514-5681

Email: jhh@haffnerlawyers.com

UC Hastings COL; San Francisco CA

In insurance bad faith actions, a plaintiff is generally allowed to claim and recover punitive damages against an insurance company, if the standard of proof is met. Neal v. Farmers Ins. Exchange (1978) 21 Cal.3d 910. California statutory law provides a strong basis for also asserting a financial elder abuse claim for treble punitive damages when representing a senior or disabled plaintiff in an insurance bad faith action.

Civil Code Section 3345 applies "in actions brought...

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