Punitive damages are punishment damages that are added on top of the victims actual damages to deter the offender from doing the activity in the future. If a person drives drunk and injures another she can be responsible for the victims injuries. In addition, since society doesnt want people driving drunk the jury can tag the wrongdoer with additional penalties including punitive damages. The idea is punitive damages will deter others from drinking and driving if they know they can be hit with these punishment damages.
