Punitive Damages Award Reduced in Suit Over 2010 Pittsburgh Traffic Stop

A federal judge has reduced a jury’s award in a civil lawsuit by a Pittsburgh, Pa., man who alleged that police used excessive force against him during a 2010 traffic stop.

The jury last summer awarded $105,000 in damages to 40-year-old Anthony Kenney, $5,000 in compensatory damages and $100,000 in punitive damages.

The city appealed, arguing that federal law limits punitive damages to twice the compensatory damages, so the award should be $15,000.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that lawyers for both sides met last week and agreed to change the award to $50,000 in compensatory damages with no punitive damages.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Pupo Lenihan approved the agreement Monday. The city also paid Kenney’s attorneys $84,000 in legal fees.