Andrew Jackson Life Ins. Co. v. Williams

In Andrew Jackson Life Ins. Co. v. Williams, 566 So. 2d 1172, 1190 (Miss. 1990), the Mississippi Supreme Court discussed four elements to guide the finder of fact in determining the total sum to award for punitive damages. The elements are as follows: (1) the amount awarded should serve to punish the insurer and deter the same or similar conduct in the future; (2) the sum awarded should deter others from committing similar offenses; (3) the amount awarded should coincide with the insurer's economic ability and financial worth; (4) the amount is to compensate the litigant for his/her "public service" by bringing the action. Id.