Punitive Damages in Missouri
State-specific overview · Contract Law
Missouri allows punitive damages for intentional torts and gross negligence, and permits awards exceeding compensatory damages without a strict statutory cap.
How Missouri treats Punitive Damages
Missouri law authorizes punitive damages when the defendant's conduct involves either intent to cause harm or gross negligence with conscious indifference to others' rights. Missouri courts do not apply a rigid cap limiting punitive damages to the amount of compensatory damages, allowing juries to assess larger awards when circumstances warrant punishment and deterrence. The state emphasizes that punitive damages serve both to punish wrongdoing and to deter similar future conduct.
The general definition of Punitive Damages
Extra money awarded to punish wrongful conduct and deter future misconduct.
Punitive damages go beyond compensating you for your actual loss; they're meant to punish the other party for especially bad behavior and discourage similar conduct in the future. These are rare in contract cases and more common in situations involving fraud, gross negligence, or intentional harm. The amount can be much larger than your actual damages because the goal is deterrence, not just making you whole.
Read the full Punitive Damages entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Missouri.