What are punitive damages?

Punitive damages are specifically designed to punish a defendant for particularly egregious or reckless behavior and deter others from committing similar acts. They are not intended to compensate the plaintiff for any specific loss. Rather, these damages are awarded when the defendant's actions are deemed outrageous or involve a willful disregard for the rights and safety of others. In contrast to compensatory damages, which address actual losses such as medical expenses or lost wages, punitive damages focus on the behavior itself and the need for societal deterrence against such wrongdoing.

The other options do not accurately describe punitive damages. Future lost wages relate to compensatory damages, which are meant to replace actual financial losses incurred by the plaintiff. Damages based solely on medical expenses also fall under compensatory damages, aimed at covering tangible costs associated with healthcare. Repayment of legal fees is often a separate issue, typically governed by specific statutes or agreements, and does not reflect punitive measures intended to discourage malicious conduct.