The Compensatory Damages: The Hot Coffee Case

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Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are very rare and they have a specific purpose which is to change the behavior of the wrongdoer. This are awarded in addition to actual damages and are considered as a punishment for the defendant. In fact, one of the jurors of the documentary claimed that punitive damages are “the only way you can get the attention of a big company.” So, with the punitive damages the jury is trying to set a public example to others for malicious, negligent, violent acts. Compensatory Damages: This refers to the sum of money that is awarded to the plaintiff, this money indemnify him/her for the injury suffered, loss or detriment. So, in the Hot Coffee case the compensatory damages indemnified Mrs. Liebeck burns, the medical