Punitive damages are awarded to:

• A. Punish the violator for malicious and intentional acts
• B. Compensate victim for expenses
• C. Pay court costs
• D. Punish the department

Answer: (A)

Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer for particularly malicious or intentional conduct and to deter similar misconduct in the future. They go beyond simply compensating the victim for losses and are not used to cover expenses or court costs. They target the responsible party for conduct that shows malice, oppression, or a reckless disregard for others’ rights, rather than punishing a department or government entity. That's why this choice best describes the purpose of punitive damages.