Punitive damages
Punitive damages are awarded in addition to actual damages in certain circumstances. Punitive damages are considered punishment and are awarded when the defendant's behavior is found to be especially harmful, but are normally not awarded in the context of a breach of contract claim. See e.g. O'Gilvie Minors v. United States 519 US 79 (1996). See also Honda Motor Co. v. Oberg 512 US 415 (1994).
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
See: exemplary damages
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:22 pm
