論美國懲罰性賠償金倍數比例之趨勢

The Trend of Multiplier Ratio of Punitive Damages in the United States: A Commentary of the Related Regulations in Taiwan

懲罰性賠償金與填補性損害賠償之倍數比例問題，一直是美國司法實務上合憲性爭議最重要的問題之一。美國聯邦最高法院雖在1990年代開始即表示對於懲罰性賠償金超額之倍數比例表達抑制之態度，然而，因其內容未臻詳細與明確，導致下級法院並未遵守。於2003年的Campbell一案中，美國聯邦最高法院對於懲罰性賠償金的倍數比例爭議，除了為詳盡的說明外，並訂立了個位數比例之規則。自此之後，美國下級法院雖未完全採納美國聯邦最高法院之見解，但大致上已遵守個位數倍數比例之見解，司法案件中出現誇張倍數比例之懲罰性賠償金判決已屬罕見，抑制高倍數懲罰性賠償金之趨勢已然成形。除介紹美國懲罰性賠償金之發展趨勢，作者並分析我國相關法令之現況，最後依美國法之經驗對於我國現行法令與實務之缺失提出建議，希冀作為有關單位日後修法與適用時之參考，以使得我國懲罰性賠償金之法制更趨健全。

The issue of ratio between the amount of punitive damages and compensatory damages is always one of the most important constitutionality disputes in judicial practice. Since 1990s, the United States Supreme Court has expressed the disfavor of excessive multiplier ratio of punitive damages; however, due to the lack of clear and specific definition, the lower courts do not comply with it in the cases. Nevertheless, the ratio issue was dealt with in the 2003 case, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. v. Campbell, by the United States Supreme Court which stated the related principles specifically and clearly and clarified the single- digit ratio rule. Ever since then, the lower courts do not completely follow the view of the United States Supreme Court but have generally complied with the single-digit rule applicable to punitive damages, namely, the exaggerated ratio of punitive damages in cases is rare to find and the trend of disfavoring high multiplier of punitive damages is beginning to take shape. In addition to introducing the developing trend of punitive damages in the United States, the author analyzes the related regulations in Taiwan and indicates some suggestions with reference to the development in the United States. The author hopes that in the future when the authorities deal with the similar issues, the contents of this paper could be adopted as one of the reference resources so as to improve the related legal system.