Punitive 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 jury awarded the plaintiff punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages for the defendant's reckless behavior.
- Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for their actions and to deter others from engaging in similar behavior.
- The court imposed punitive damages on the company for its intentional disregard for safety protocols, which resulted in the death of several employees.
- The judge reduced the amount of punitive damages awarded to the plaintiff, citing that it was excessive and not in line with the severity of the defendant's actions.
- In some jurisdictions, punitive damages are capped at a certain amount to prevent excessive awards and ensure that the focus remains on compensating the plaintiff rather than punishing the defendant.