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punitive damages

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Legal, Financial, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
punitive damages.
See damages.

damages,
n.pl compensation or indemnity that may be recovered in the courts by any person who has suffered loss, detriment, or injury to person, property, or rights through the unlawful act or negligence of another.
damages, compensatory,
n.pl a sum that compensates the injured party for injury only.
damages, exemplary (punitive damages)
(igzem´plrē),
n.pl damages awarded to the plaintiff over those that will barely compensate for property loss. Such compensation may be awarded when the wrong done to the plaintiff involves violence, malice, or fraud by the defendant. The object is to provide compensation for mental suffering or loss of pride. It may be employed as punishment of the defendant.
damages, nominal,
n.pl a small sum awarded to a plaintiff in an action in which there is no substantial loss or injury to be compensated but in which the law still recognizes a technical invasion of rights or a breach of the defendant's duty. Also awarded in cases in which, although there has been a real injury, the plaintiff's evidence is not sufficient to show its amount.
damages, punitive,
n.pl See damages, exemplary.

punitive damages
damages awarded by the court, in addition to damages awarded as compensation for loss, as a punishment to the guilty party and an assuagement to the suffering party.


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