In public civil law, compensatory and punitive damages serve different purposes and are awarded for different reasons. Here's a breakdown of the differences between the two: Compensatory Damages: Purpose: Compensatory damages are awarded to compensate the plaintiff (the injured party) for the losses or harm suffered as a result of the defendant's wrongful conduct. Nature: Compensatory damages aim to restore the plaintiff to the position they were in before the injury or loss occurred, to the extent possible. They are intended to make the plaintiff "whole" again by providing monetary compensation for actual damages, including economic losses (such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and future expenses) and non-economic losses (such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life). Calculation: Compensatory damages are typically calculated based on the actual financial losses incurred by the plaintiff, supported by evidence presented during the trial, such as medical bills, repair estimates, and expert testimony. Scope: Compensatory damages are designed to be proportional to the harm suffered by the plaintiff and are intended to compensate them for their specific losses or injuries. Punitive Damages: Purpose: Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages or vindictive damages, are awarded to punish the defendant for their egregious conduct and to deter similar misconduct in the future. Nature: Punitive damages go beyond compensating the plaintiff for their losses and serve to punish the defendant for their wrongful actions, particularly when those actions involve malice, fraud, oppression, or recklessness. Punitive damages are intended to send a message that certain conduct will not be tolerated and to deter others from engaging in similar behavior. Calculation: Punitive damages are calculated based on the degree of reprehensibility of the defendant's conduct, their financial resources, and the need for deterrence. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are not directly tied to the plaintiff's actual losses but are instead determined by the jury or judge based on the circumstances of the case. Scope: Punitive damages are typically awarded in addition to compensatory damages and are meant to serve a broader societal interest in deterring wrongful conduct, rather than solely compensating the individual plaintiff. In summary, compensatory damages are awarded to compensate the plaintiff for their actual losses, while punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant and deter future misconduct. While compensatory damages focus on restoring the plaintiff to their pre-injury state, punitive damages aim to penalize the defendant for their egregious behavior and discourage similar actions in the future.