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What are Punitive Damages?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

The terms “award” and “damages” are often used synonymously in the legal profession. Punitive damages are one type of award that can be ordered in a civil case. They are meant to teach a lesson or to discourage future actions. Doing so often involves victims receiving amounts that exceed what they would receive if only compensatory damages were available.

Another category of damages are known as compensatory damages. It is helpful to assess the differences when trying to understand the role that punitive damages plays in a justice system. Compensatory damages are awards designed to compensate a victim to make her whole again.

Punitive damages might come in addition to compensatory damages, an example of which would be paying someone for the damage done in a car accident.
Punitive damages might come in addition to compensatory damages, an example of which would be paying someone for the damage done in a car accident.

This means that compensatory damages should not be viewed as punishment, but as an amount that is rightfully owed to a person for some harm. For example, an automobile accident may result in a person ordered to pay compensatory damages. These could include the cost for the value of the victim’s automobile and her medical bills. The victim generally should not profit from compensatory damages. Punitive damages, however, are meant to act in a completely different manner.

Punitive damages might be levied against a medical professional to punish him for acting in a way harmful to his patient.
Punitive damages might be levied against a medical professional to punish him for acting in a way harmful to his patient.

In some cases, guilty parties are required to pay hefty punitive damages. This money is not designed solely to compensate the victim. Instead, it is designed to penalize the guilty party and to persuade him not to act in the same manner in the future. In some instances, the victim may only receive a portion of the money that is ordered to be paid. It is common, however, for victims who receive these types of damages to receive sums in excess of the amount of their provable claims.

A driver causing an automobile accident and injuries may be required to pay the victim's medical bills.
A driver causing an automobile accident and injuries may be required to pay the victim's medical bills.

Punitive damages are awarded in civil lawsuits. This causes some people to criticize their application, because normally civil courts are not established to issue punishment. It has been argued, however, that using such damages to address behavior acts as a protection for society.

In instances, for example, where peoples’ lives have been jeopardized by the actions of medical professionals or ruthless business owners, it is often deemed necessary to discourage the continuance of such practices. Since in many cases, no law has been broken, one of the only means to do this is by financial punishment.

In civil litigation, damages are paid as a way to financially compensate a plaintiff for a tangible loss.
In civil litigation, damages are paid as a way to financially compensate a plaintiff for a tangible loss.

Although punitive damages are not criminal consequences, they are obligatory. A party who is ordered to pay must pay unless the decision is reversed by way of appeal. This category of damages can be awarded in cases with a jury or where only a judge presides.

Discussion Comments

anon121302

I am from India. Here some lawyers brazenly resort to resjudicata cases to harass keeping in view the slow pace of judiciary. I would like to know if there is any time frame to adjudge resjudicata? In my case it has taken a District Court 1.5 yrs to adjudge two applications from a shyster lawyer as resjudicata.

Secondly, can I file for punitive damages on account of harassment from resjudicata cases since the slow pace of judiciary is being misused as weapon of harassment? Thirdly, can I file for damages against this shyster lawyer in addition to the plaintiffs?

I wish I could get straight advice on the above problems since this lawyer has lined up two more resjudicata cases to delay the appeals. In this way a simple case can follow us for a lifetime.

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    • Punitive damages might come in addition to compensatory damages, an example of which would be paying someone for the damage done in a car accident.
      By: Monkey Business
      Punitive damages might come in addition to compensatory damages, an example of which would be paying someone for the damage done in a car accident.
    • Punitive damages might be levied against a medical professional to punish him for acting in a way harmful to his patient.
      By: mangostock
      Punitive damages might be levied against a medical professional to punish him for acting in a way harmful to his patient.
    • A driver causing an automobile accident and injuries may be required to pay the victim's medical bills.
      By: corepics
      A driver causing an automobile accident and injuries may be required to pay the victim's medical bills.
    • In civil litigation, damages are paid as a way to financially compensate a plaintiff for a tangible loss.
      By: Andrey Burmakin
      In civil litigation, damages are paid as a way to financially compensate a plaintiff for a tangible loss.