Exemplary Damages (Noun)
Meaning
(law) compensation in excess of actual damages (a form of punishment awarded in cases of malicious or willful misconduct).
Classification
Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession.
Examples
- The court awarded exemplary damages to the plaintiff, exceeding the actual damages, to punish the defendant for their reckless and negligent behavior.
- Exemplary damages were awarded to the family of the deceased, as the jury found the defendant's actions to be malicious and intentional.
- The judge ordered the company to pay exemplary damages to the consumers who were affected by their false advertising, as a way to deter similar behavior in the future.
- The jury's verdict included exemplary damages, which were intended to punish the defendant for their willful disregard of the plaintiff's rights.
- The court's decision to award exemplary damages sent a strong message to the defendant and others that such egregious behavior would not be tolerated.