Which type of damages is intended to punish a defendant and deter similar future conduct?

Punitive damages are specifically designed to punish a defendant for their wrongful conduct and serve as a deterrent to prevent similar actions in the future. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to restore the victim to their original position by covering losses incurred (such as medical expenses or property damage), punitive damages go beyond mere compensation. They are awarded in cases where a defendant’s behavior is found to be especially harmful, reckless, or intentional, reflecting a societal interest in condemning and discouraging such conduct.

In legal proceedings, punitive damages signify that the defendant's actions warrant further penalties beyond what is needed to compensate the victim. This element of punishment underscores the severity of the wrongdoing, emphasizing that there are consequences for acting with negligence or malice. As a result, awarding punitive damages can also have a broader social impact by discouraging the defendant and others in similar positions from engaging in harmful behavior.

The other types of damages, such as compensatory and general damages, focus primarily on making the injured party whole rather than punishing the wrongdoer. Special damages refer specifically to out-of-pocket costs associated with the injury but do not encompass the punitive aspect that serves to deter future misconduct.