What type of damages are awarded to a plaintiff to punish the defendant for extreme misconduct?

• A. Compensatory Damages
• B. Pecuniary Damages
• C. Nominal Damages
• D. Punitive Damages

Answer: (D)

Punitive damages are awarded to a plaintiff as a form of punishment to the defendant for particularly egregious or reckless conduct that goes beyond mere negligence. The primary purpose of punitive damages is to deter the defendant and others from engaging in similar behavior in the future. These damages are not designed to compensate the plaintiff for any losses incurred, but rather to send a strong message that certain behaviors, such as fraud, malice, or gross negligence, will not be tolerated in society.

In contrast, compensatory damages are intended to reimburse the plaintiff for actual losses, while nominal damages recognize a legal wrong has occurred but without significant harm. Pecuniary damages refer specifically to quantifiable financial losses. None of these serve the purpose of punishment like punitive damages do, which is why punitive damages are the correct answer in response to the question about damages awarded for extreme misconduct.