Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases involving:

Punitive damages serve a very specific purpose in the legal system; they are designed to punish a defendant for particularly egregious conduct and deter similar behavior in the future. Their aim is not to compensate the victim for losses, which is the primary purpose of compensatory damages. Instead, punitive damages are awarded in cases where the defendant's actions are not just negligent, but involve severe misconduct or wrongdoing, such as willful ignorance, fraud, or malice.

In situations where the defendant has acted with a blatant disregard for the rights and safety of others, courts may impose punitive damages as a way to send a strong message against such behavior. This distinguishes punitive damages from compensatory damages awarded in routine negligence cases, where the misconduct lacks the severity required for punitive measures. Therefore, severe misconduct or wrongdoing is the correct context for the awarding of punitive damages, emphasizing the legal system's aim to regulate behavior beyond mere compensation for harm done.