The purpose of compensatory damages is to place the injured party (plaintiff) in the same monetary situation as if the injury had never occurred, and punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant (at-fault party). Compensatory damages are designed to compensate the victim of an injury for their losses. They can cover expenses such as medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. Punitive damages are designed to punish bad actors and set an example for them.
The state of Florida currently does not have a damage limit for compensatory damages in personal injury cases; however, under Florida law, there are limitations to prevent punitive damages from becoming excessive. While punitive damages can be awarded in any type of personal injury case, most of the time they are awarded in cases where the defendant was grossly negligent. Often, in personal injury cases, the victim may be entitled to compensation for numerous damages and, at best, understanding the differences between those damages can be confusing.
