What type of monetary award is designed to punish the wrongdoer?

Punitive damages are awarded in civil cases as a form of monetary compensation designed specifically to punish a wrongdoer for particularly egregious or reckless behavior. These damages go beyond merely compensating the victim for losses suffered and aim to deter the wrongdoer and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future.

In the context of legal proceedings, punitive damages are often considered when the defendant's actions are found to be malicious, willful, or in gross disregard of the rights of others. This aligns with the overarching goal of the legal system to encourage lawful behavior and discourage harmful actions.

Nominal damages, in contrast, are awarded when a legal wrong has occurred, but there has been no significant loss or injury to be compensated. Actual damages are aimed at covering the tangible losses that a plaintiff has incurred due to the defendant’s actions. Injunctive relief is not a monetary award; rather, it involves a court order requiring a party to do or refrain from doing specific acts.

Thus, punitive damages are the appropriate answer as they uniquely focus on punishment and deterrence, distinguishing them from other types of monetary compensations awarded in civil litigation.