Which type of damages are awarded to punish a defendant for intentional wrongdoing?

Punitive damages are specifically designed to punish a defendant for their intentional or particularly egregious wrongful conduct and to deter others from engaging in similar behavior. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to reimburse the plaintiff for actual losses suffered (such as medical expenses or lost wages), punitive damages go beyond mere restitution.

These damages serve a societal function by reinforcing the notion that certain behaviors, especially those that are willfully harmful or malicious, are unacceptable. The intention behind awarding punitive damages is not simply to compensate the victim, but to send a message that society will impose consequences for actions that violate its moral standards. These types of damages are typically awarded in cases involving fraud, malice, or gross negligence, and are often determined based on the severity of the defendant's actions and their financial status, ensuring that the punishment has a meaningful impact.

The other categories of damages mentioned, such as compensatory, special, and consequential damages, focus primarily on economic losses or specific impacts arising from a party's breach of duty, rather than on punitive measures against wrongdoing.