Legal dictionary

Punitive damages

Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, may be awarded by a judge in addition to actual damages, which compensate the claimant for the losses suffered due to the harm caused by the defendant. Punitive damages are a way of punishing the defendant in a civil case and are based on the theory that the interests of society and the individual harmed can be met by imposing additional damages on the wrongdoer.
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