Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Wednesday was awarded more than $500,000 in damages stemming from an attack by his neighbor, The Associated Press reports.
Paul’s neighbor Rene Boucher attacked the senator in 2017, breaking several of his ribs.
The conflict started when Paul was doing yard work. Boucher said he was angered by the senator repeatedly putting debris near his house.
{mosads}As a result of the injury, Paul later had to have surgery on a hernia.
The jury awarded $375,000 in punitive damages, $200,000 for pain and suffering and $7,834 for medical expenses, according to the AP.
Boucher’s lawyer, Matt Baker, says they will appeal, per AP.
After the hearing, Paul tweeted that the result of the hearing was about sending “a clear message that violence is not the answer.”
“This lawsuit wasn’t about me. It was about all of us and what we find acceptable as a society. We need to send a clear message that violence is not the answer – anytime, anywhere,” he wrote.
“We can hold different views, whether it’s politics, religion or day to day matters. It’s never ok to turn those disagreements into violent, aggressive anger. I hope that’s the message from today.”