On Feb. 28, Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein ruled that state law does not permit a punitive damages award against the three paint companies found liable for creating a public nuisance because there was no underlying compensatory award, which left abatement of the lead nuisance as the only remaining issue to be resolved. The state contends that for the court to accomplish the directive handed down from the jury, to abate the public nuisance caused by lead, the court should appoint a special master who would be charged with designing an abatement plan that is consistent with the evidence in the case and the public health needs.
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机译：2月28日，罗德岛州高等法院法官迈克尔·A·西尔弗斯坦（Michael A. Silverstein）裁定，州法律不允许对被裁定有责任制造公众妨害的三家涂料公司处以惩罚性赔偿，因为没有根本的补偿性赔偿，这导致了对铅滋扰是唯一尚待解决的问题。国家主张，为使法院完成陪审团下达的指示，以减轻铅引起的公众滋扰，法院应任命一名特别负责人，负责设计与该案证据相符的减排计划。病例和公共卫生需求。
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