Punitive and compensatory damages are two types of civil damages that may be awarded to a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit. Punitive damages are a form of punishment intended to punish the defendant for their behavior, while compensatory damages are a form of restitution that is intended to compensate the plaintiff for their losses or injuries. It is important to understand the difference between punitive and compensatory damages in order to understand how a court may award damages in a civil case.
Punitive damages are a form of punishment intended to deter the defendant from engaging in the same behavior in the future. These damages are awarded when the defendant’s behavior is considered to be particularly egregious or reckless. Punitive damages are typically awarded in addition to compensatory damages, and the amount of punitive damages awarded is typically determined by the court based on a variety of factors.
Compensatory damages are intended to compensate the plaintiff for any losses or injuries that they have incurred as a result of the defendant’s behavior. These damages are typically awarded to cover the costs of medical bills, lost wages, and other damages that the plaintiff has suffered. Compensatory damages can also include non-economic losses such as pain and suffering. The amount of compensatory damages that are awarded is typically determined by the court based on the evidence that is presented by the parties in the case.
The main difference between punitive and compensatory damages is that punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant, while compensatory damages are intended to compensate the plaintiff for their losses or injuries. Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases where the defendant’s behavior is particularly egregious or reckless, while compensatory damages are typically awarded to cover the costs of medical bills, lost wages, and other damages that the plaintiff has suffered. It is important to understand the difference between punitive and compensatory damages in order to understand how a court may award damages in a civil case.
Difference Between Punitive and Compensatory Damages
Definition of Punitive Damages
Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are civil damages that are awarded to a plaintiff as a punishment for a defendant’s wrongdoing. They are provided to the plaintiff in addition to any compensatory damages that may have been awarded. The purpose of punitive damages is to publicly punish the defendant for their behavior, as well as to deter them and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are usually only awarded when the defendant’s conduct is particularly egregious, and often involve cases of fraud, malicious or reckless behavior, or intentional misconduct.
Definition of Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages, also known as actual damages, are damages that are awarded to a plaintiff as compensation for injuries sustained due to the defendant’s negligence or wrongdoing. The primary purpose of compensatory damages is to restore the plaintiff to the position they were in prior to the incident, by providing damages that make up for lost wages, medical expenses, and other costs incurred as a result of the incident. Compensatory damages are usually awarded when the defendant’s conduct is negligent or careless, and are designed to compensate, or make up for, the plaintiff’s losses.
Difference Between Punitive and Compensatory Damages
The primary difference between punitive and compensatory damages is the purpose of the damages. Punitive damages are awarded to publicly punish the defendant and deter them and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future. Compensatory damages are awarded to make up for the plaintiff’s losses, and restore the plaintiff to the position they were in prior to the incident. Punitive damages are usually only awarded when the defendant’s conduct is particularly egregious, and involve cases of fraud, malicious or reckless behavior, or intentional misconduct. Compensatory damages are usually awarded when the defendant’s conduct is negligent or careless.
Additionally, punitive damages are awarded to the plaintiff in addition to any compensatory damages that may have been awarded. Compensatory damages, on the other hand, are awarded as a single sum and are not supplemented by any other damages.
In some cases, both punitive and compensatory damages may be awarded. In such cases, the punitive damages are usually calculated based on a percentage of the compensatory damages. The percentage usually depends on the severity of the defendant’s conduct and the amount of compensatory damages awarded.