Which damages are intended to punish the defendant in cases of intentional torts?

• A. Nominal Damages
• B. Punitive Damages
• C. Compensatory Damages
• D. Property Law

Answer: (B)

Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct. In intentional torts, when the defendant’s deliberate or highly wrongful behavior causes harm, courts may award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. They don’t compensate for losses; instead, they sanction the conduct and discourage others from acting similarly. The amount can reflect the egregiousness of the conduct and the goal of deterrence, though standards for awarding them vary by jurisdiction. This differs from compensatory damages, which cover actual losses; nominal damages, a small amount, acknowledge wrongdoing when actual harm is minimal; and property law is not a damages category in tort cases.