What are punitive damages intended to do?

Punitive damages are intended to punish an individual or entity for particularly egregious or reckless behavior and to deter similar conduct in the future. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to reimburse the injured party for losses or suffering incurred, punitive damages go beyond this by imposing a financial penalty on the negligent party. They are awarded in cases where the defendant's actions are deemed to be not just negligent but willfully harmful or grossly negligent. This serves a broader societal purpose by discouraging similar behaviors that could lead to further harm or wrongdoing, thereby protecting public interest and promoting accountability.