What is the difference between compensatory and punitive damages?

Compensatory and punitive damages are two types of damages that may be awarded in an accident law case originating from the state of California. Compensatory damages are damages that are meant to compensate a person for the loss suffered due to an accident. It is meant to put the person back into the position they were before the accident occurred. Punitive damages are not meant to compensate the person for the losses suffered due to the accident, but instead are meant to punish the person or party responsible for the accident. Punitive damages are also meant to serve as a deterrent so that the party responsible for the accident does not do it again. In a California accident law case, compensatory damages typically include items like medical expenses, lost wages due to missed work, pain and suffering, and other similar items. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are typically only awarded in cases of intentional or grossly negligent behavior and are meant to punish the responsible party. The amount awarded in a punitive damages case is typically determined by a jury or a judge. In summary, the main difference between compensatory and punitive damages in a California accident law case is that compensatory damages are meant to put the person back into the same position they were in before the accident occurred, while punitive damages are meant to punish the person or party responsible for the accident and its resulting losses.

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What is the difference between compensatory and punitive damages?

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