How to put a lid on civil suit excesses

Re “Reining in juries,” editorial, Feb. 22

Civil litigation serving what should be a criminal function (punishment by punitive damages) provides society with the substantial benefit of deterrence, but it sometimes results in outlandish awards. Why not get rid of the bad and retain the good? Establish as a principal of law that punitive damages should not exceed the minimum amount needed to, when added to the compensatory damages, provide a reasonably effective deterrence. This would retain the social good of deterrence, provide just compensation and sometimes more, substantially limit awards, put a lid on unjust enrichment and reduce the cost and fear of unwarranted litigation.

WILLIAM HUTCHINSON

Newport Beach