Events
Duane Morris Partner Robert Hopkins to Discuss "Damages: Assessing the Status of Punitive and Non-Pecuniary Damages in the Wake of Townsend and Defending Against Plaintiffs' Damages Claims"
March 29, 2012 | Houston
| Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel
Duane Morris partner Robert Hopkins will be part of a panel discussion on "Damages: Assessing the Status of Punitive and Non-Pecuniary Damages in the Wake of Townsend and Defending Against Plaintiffs' Damages Claims" at the American Conference Institute's National Forum on Defending and Managing Admiralty & Maritime Litigation on Thursday, March 29, 2012.
The issues surrounding admiralty and maritime litigation have never been as complex as they are now. In the wake of Deepwater Horizon, all eyes are focused on the potential for litigation arising from environmental accidents, and defense counsel must be prepared to defend against new and emerging theories of liability from the plaintiffs' bar. Moreover, the law governing admiralty and maritime claims continues to evolve, impacting everything from the type of claims that can be filed to the remedies that are available for a given claim. Add to this the multitude of factors involved in determining the proximate causes of an accident, the complex insurance claims that are often intertwined with admiralty and maritime litigation, and the procedural and jurisdictional intricacies inherent in maritime litigation, and it is clear that defense counsel face an uphill battle. With all of these factors putting defense counsel behind the 8-ball from the very start, there has never been a more important time in the industry to convene and exchange valuable insights and strategies with colleagues from around the nation.
In response to demand from the market, the American Conference Institute has developed the National Forum on Defending and Managing Admiralty & Maritime Litigation. The unparalleled speaker faculty, consisting of senior industry professionals, leading outside defense counsel, and renowned federal judges, will provide even the most seasoned professionals with the clarity and certainty needed to remain ahead of the curve on today's key issues to mounting a rigorous and complete defense.
"Damages: Assessing the Status of Punitive and Non-Pecuniary Damages in the Wake of Townsend and Defending Against Plaintiffs' Damages Claims" will explore a range of issues to consider, including:
- Assessing recent court decisions on damages in maritime cases
- Pecuniary damages—what can a plaintiff recover?
- Medical damages
- Quantifying actual economic loss and pecuniary injuries versus pain and suffering injuries
- Punitive damages after Townsend
- Which jurisdictions are the most accommodating to punitive damages and which are the least?
- Assessing the new and innovative techniques that plaintiffs' counsel are using to make the case for punitive damages in maritime litigation
- Defending punitive damages cases in light of recent case law, and what the industry can expect going forward
For additional information, or to register, please visit the American Conference Institute's website.
