Definition

Noun: - A monetary award imposed by a court on a defendant as punishment for egregious wrongdoing: Punitive damages are a legal remedy, distinct from standard compensation, granted to a plaintiff when the defendant's conduct is found to be particularly malicious, fraudulent, oppressive, or recklessly indifferent. Their primary purpose is to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar future conduct, rather than solely to compensate the victim for a loss.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The jury awarded the plaintiff $5 million in punitive damages due to the company's willful disregard for public safety.
  • The court ruled that the defendant's actions were so reprehensible that an award of punitive damages was justified.

Advanced Usage

• "to award punitive damages": The legal act of a judge or jury granting this specific type of monetary punishment.
  • The judge instructed the jury on when they could award punitive damages.
• "to be liable for punitive damages": The legal state of being subject to this punishment.
  • A finding of gross negligence can make a corporation liable for punitive damages.

Variants and Related Words

• Exemplary damages (n): A synonym for punitive damages, used particularly in some Commonwealth legal systems.
  • The claim sought exemplary damages for the flagrant breach of contract.
• Compensatory damages (n): The standard award intended to reimburse a plaintiff for actual losses (e.g., medical bills, lost wages), which contrasts with the punitive purpose of punitive damages.
  • The compensatory damages covered her hospital expenses, while the punitive damages punished the drunk driver.

Synonyms

• Exemplary damages: Damages intended to make an example of the defendant.
• Vindictive damages: An older, less common term emphasizing the punishment aspect.

Related Legal Concepts

• Gross negligence: Conscious, voluntary disregard for the need to use reasonable care, which often serves as a basis for awarding punitive damages.
• Willful misconduct: Intentional conduct with knowledge of its potential for harm, a common prerequisite for punitive damages.

Noun

1. (law) compensation in excess of actual damages (a form of punishment awarded in cases of malicious or willful misconduct)