What are compensatory and punitive damages?

Compensatory damages are meant to make a plaintiff “whole.” Compensatory damages must be documented and include items like, medical bills, out of pocket expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, etc. Compensatory damages are available in Washington.

Punitive damages on the other hand are simply meant to deter the defendant from doing the same thing again. They are damages meant to punish a defendant for wrongdoing and create an example for others that might consider that type of conduct in the future. Juries do not often give punitive damages and when they do it typically means there was very bad conduct on the part of the Defendant. In general, punitive damages are not available in Washington.

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