What Are Punitive Damages in a Personal Injury Case?
Gregg Hollander | January 6, 2026 | Uncategorized
Punitive damages are not designed to compensate the victim. Their purpose is to punish reckless or intentional misconduct and to deter similar actions in the future.
What Are Punitive Damages for Personal Injury and When Do They Apply
Punitive damages focus on the defendant’s misconduct, not the victim’s losses. If you are wondering what are punitive damages for personal injury?, they are reserved for cases involving reckless or intentional behavior, where a punishment and deterrent are needed to send a clear message that egregious conduct will not be tolerated.
Punitive damages are awarded only when the defendant’s actions go beyond ordinary negligence. Examples include drunk driving, gross medical neglect, or deliberate corporate concealment of danger.
How Punitive Damages Differ from Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages aim to make the victim whole. Punitive damages serve as a punishment and deterrent, sending a clear message that egregious conduct will not be tolerated.
Wider Impact
Punitive damages not only hold wrongdoers accountable but also promote safer conduct industry-wide. They ensure that future victims are protected by the precedent set in these cases.
Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer About Punitive Damages
If you are asking “what are punitive damages for personal injury?”, Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers can help you understand whether your case involves reckless or intentional misconduct that could support this type of award. Contact our team for a free consultation to discuss what happened, how punitive damages differ from compensatory damages, and what it can take to hold a wrongdoer accountable.
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Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Boca Raton Law Office
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Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – West Palm Beach Law Office
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West Palm Beach, FL 33401
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