What is the primary purpose of punitive damages?

The primary purpose of punitive damages is to punish defendants and deter future actions. Unlike compensatory damages, which are intended to reimburse the plaintiff for actual losses incurred, punitive damages go beyond mere compensation. They are awarded as a form of retribution and can serve as a warning to both the defendant and the public about the legal consequences of particularly harmful behavior.

In cases where a defendant's conduct is found to be especially egregious or malicious, punitive damages emphasize that society does not condone such behavior and seeks to discourage similar actions in the future. This serves both as a punishment for the wrongdoing and as a societal message that improper conduct will not be tolerated.