What is the objective of punitive damages in a legal context?

The objective of punitive damages is to punish the defendant for their actions and deter them and others from committing similar wrongful acts in the future. Unlike compensatory damages that aim to reimburse the plaintiff for actual losses and injuries, punitive damages are intended to address particularly egregious behavior that goes beyond mere negligence. They serve as a form of societal condemnation of the defendant's actions, signaling that such conduct is unacceptable and should be penalized.

In cases where punitive damages are awarded, the court typically finds that the defendant acted with malice, intentional wrongdoing, or gross negligence. This punitive measure is not about compensating the victim, but rather about imposing a severe penalty on the wrongdoer to promote accountability and discourage future harmful behavior. This legal mechanism reinforces ethical standards and emphasizes the importance of adherence to the law in professional practices.