Driving drunk, as well as texting, and talking on the phone can leave a defendant open to punitive damages.  These are damages meant to punish someone for their behavior.  The below case is believed to be one of , if not the largest, DWI punitive award ever.

Record Damages Awarded in DUI Suit

A Florida jury has awarded $330 million in damages to the family of a 12-year-old girl killed by a drunken driver. Following deliberations, jurors concluded that Christopher Marcone was negligent for $55 million in compensatory damages and $275 million in punitive damages in the crash that killed Shelby Taylor Hagman. The award is believed to be one of the largest in recent history, according to acourt observers.  Tony Marrero, St. Petersburg Times  10/02/2009

Read Article: St. Petersburg Times