(1)  Whenever it appears from a return of a jury verdict in any court jury trial or from entry of a finding or order in any court bench trial, that punitive damages have been awarded to the plaintiff in a court action, the clerk of the court shall immediately notify the attorney general and state treasurer of the verdict, finding, or order. The notice shall contain:

Terms Used In Utah Code 78B-8-202

  • Bench trial: Trial without a jury in which a judge decides the facts.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
(a)  the names of both parties to the action, and their attorneys;

(b)  the case number; and

(c)  the location of the court.

(2)  In addition to the notice required in Subsection (1) of this section, the clerk of the court shall notify the attorney general and the state treasurer within five days after entry of a judgment award of punitive damages. The notice shall contain:

(a)  the name of the party and his attorney, against whom the judgment was ordered;

(b)  the amount of the judgment; and

(c)  the date on which the judgment was entered.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 3, 2008 General Session