Punitive damages - Definition and Overview

Punitive damages are damages awarded to a successful plaintiff in a civil action, over and above the amount of compensatory damages, to:

1. punish the conduct of the civil defendant;
2. deter the civil defendant from committing the invidious act again; and
3. deter others from doing the same thing.

Generally, punitive damages are only awarded for egregiously invidious and wilful actions, not for mere carelessness or negligence.