[brianpgordon]

I'm not a legal mind, but these are punitive damages, not compensatory ones. The couple didn't endure $2 billion worth of suffering, but Monsanto did commit $2 billion worth of misconduct.

[mars4rp]

so shouldn't it go to the government instead? if the couple didn't suffer for $2B, why should they get it? they should get enough for their suffering, and the rest should go to government for public health.

[petercooper]

If the IRS didn't have a specific exemption for award settlements for personal injury cases, the government would be getting 30-40% of it, at least.

[fucking_tragedy]

This case will pave the way for future class action lawsuits, and perhaps criminal or regulatory cases.

If someone is stuck on the fact that the jury awarded a couple of people punitive damages, they're missing the forest for the trees.

[rootusrootus]

Why would this make someone want to participate in a class action? Seems like it would do the opposite. Who doesn't want to be a billionaire?

[fucking_tragedy]

Courts are less likely to award further punitive damages. Those who doesn't have the resources to go against Monsanto's lawyers would have incentives to participate in a class action lawsuit.

[tomp]

Probably a bad incentive. Government should remain impartial, easier if they don't receive the money involved.

[ndiscussion]

I dunno, that's just how it works here.