Which type of damages is awarded to punish the defendant rather than to compensate the plaintiff?

The correct answer is punitive damages. These damages are specifically intended to punish the defendant for particularly egregious or harmful behavior and to deter them and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future. Unlike compensatory damages, which are designed to reimburse the plaintiff for actual losses suffered, punitive damages go beyond mere compensation and serve a broader public policy purpose. They are awarded in cases where the defendant's actions were especially reckless, intentional, or malicious, acting as a form of legal retribution.

In contrast, compensatory damages focus on offsetting the actual losses incurred by the plaintiff. Nominal damages are minimal amounts awarded when a legal wrong has occurred but where the plaintiff has not suffered a substantial loss. General damages cover non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, but do not carry the punitive intent associated with punitive damages. This distinction is crucial to understanding the role and objectives of different types of damages in the legal system.