ELR Citation: ELR 20400
No(s). s. 79-0710 et al (M.D. Pa. Feb 27, 1985)

The court holds that punitive damages are available under the Price-Anderson Act. Though the Act is intended as a compensatory rather than punitive scheme, Congress intended that state law be used to determine the damages available, subject only to the upper limits imposed by the Act. Congress expressed no intent to exclude punitive damages. However, to the extent that punitive damages would be paid out of the federal treasury under the Act's system of federal indemnification, those damages are disallowed.

Counsel for Plaintiffs
John J. O'Brien
O'Brien and O'Brien Associates
1260 Suburban Station Bldg.
1617 J.F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia PA 19103
(215) 567-7381

Counsel for Defendants
Fred Speaker
Pepper, Hamilton & Scheetz
10 S. Market Square
P.O. Box 1181, Harrisburg PA 17108
(717) 233-8483

John G. Harkins Jr., Edward W. Madeira, A.H. Wilcox
Pepper, Hamilton & Scheetz
2001 The Fidelity Building
123 S. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19109
(215) 893-3000