Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-295

Current with legislation from the 2024 Regular and Special Sessions.

Section 14-295 - Double or treble damages for personal injury or property damage resulting from certain traffic violations

In any civil action to recover damages resulting from personal injury, wrongful death or damage to property, the trier of fact may award double or treble damages if the injured party has specifically pleaded that another party has deliberately or with reckless disregard operated a motor vehicle in violation of section 14-218a, 14-219, 14-222, 14-227 a or 14-227 m, subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n or section 14-230, 14-234, 14-237, 14-239, 14-240 a or 14-296 aa, and that such violation was a substantial factor in causing such injury, death or damage to property. The owner of a rental or leased motor vehicle shall not be responsible for such damages unless the damages arose from such owner's operation of the motor vehicle.

(1949 Rev., S. 2492; P.A. 76-435, S. 1, 82; P.A. 77-604, S. 7, 84; P.A. 85-122; P.A. 88-229; P.A. 03-250, S. 2; P.A. 16-126, S. 22.)

Amended by P.A. 19-0160,S. 1 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2019 Regular Session, eff. 7/1/2019.

Amended by P.A. 16-0126, S. 22 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2016 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2016.

Treble damages were originally mandatory and were made discretionary in 1909; the jury should find the actual damages and the court multiply them. 59 C. 1. Statute is to be strictly construed; multiple damages cannot be awarded if the complaint omits any element of statute; 66 C. 570; 75 C. 124; or alleges other tortious acts, so that the verdict does not necessarily establish violation of statute. 59 Conn. 1; 84 C. 52; 87 C. 256. Multiple damages should be claimed in the demand for relief. 84 Conn. 52; 87 C. 257. Cited. 111 Conn. 729. Additional damages are penal and are not recoverable from insurer. 127 C. 533. Cited. 134 C. 599; 192 Conn. 280; Id., 301; 196 C. 494; 203 Conn. 667. Unconstitutionally deprives defendant of jury trial; statute does not purport to authorize jury determination of multiple damages. 206 Conn. 608. Cited. 211 C. 133; 216 C. 40. Judicially created standard precludes unlimited and arbitrary discretion by the court in its application of statute. 4 Conn.App. 451. Cited. 8 CA 254; 31 CA 781; 43 CA 1. Cited. 39 Conn.Supp. 228. Double or treble damages may be claimed in complaint alleging both common-law and statutory negligence, provided facts which bring case within statute are clearly stated. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 462-464.