Which term is awarded against a defendant who deserves punishment for negligence?

Which term is awarded against a defendant who deserves punishment for negligence?

• A. Punitive Damages
• B. General Damages
• C. Strict Liability
• D. Absolute Liability

Answer: (A)

Punitive damages are the amount intended to punish a defendant for behavior that goes beyond mere negligence. They punish and deter especially reckless or intentional disregard for others’ safety, rather than simply compensating the plaintiff for losses. General damages, by contrast, cover non-economic harms like pain and suffering and are meant to compensate, not punish. Strict liability imposes liability without proving fault, and absolute liability is a stricter form of that—neither is about punishing negligence with an extra damages award. So the term that fits punishment for egregious conduct is punitive damages.

Punitive damages are the amount intended to punish a defendant for behavior that goes beyond mere negligence. They punish and deter especially reckless or intentional disregard for others’ safety, rather than simply compensating the plaintiff for losses. General damages, by contrast, cover non-economic harms like pain and suffering and are meant to compensate, not punish. Strict liability imposes liability without proving fault, and absolute liability is a stricter form of that—neither is about punishing negligence with an extra damages award. So the term that fits punishment for egregious conduct is punitive damages.