Courts may award which combination of damages?

Courts may award which combination of damages?

• A. Compensatory damages only
• B. Nominal damages only
• C. Compensatory and punitive damages
• D. Court does not award punitive damages

Answer: (C)

In civil cases, damages come in two main forms: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages cover actual losses the plaintiff suffered, including economic costs and noneconomic harms like pain and suffering. When the defendant’s conduct is particularly wrongful—malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent—courts may add punitive damages to punish the offender and deter similar conduct in the future. If the conduct meets the high bar for punitive damages, the same case can award both compensatory damages and punitive damages. Nominal damages are a separate, smaller award used when there’s a legal wrong but little or no actual loss, and they don’t preclude awarding compensatory or punitive damages when appropriate. Therefore, the combination that can be awarded is compensatory and punitive damages.

In civil cases, damages come in two main forms: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages cover actual losses the plaintiff suffered, including economic costs and noneconomic harms like pain and suffering. When the defendant’s conduct is particularly wrongful—malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent—courts may add punitive damages to punish the offender and deter similar conduct in the future. If the conduct meets the high bar for punitive damages, the same case can award both compensatory damages and punitive damages. Nominal damages are a separate, smaller award used when there’s a legal wrong but little or no actual loss, and they don’t preclude awarding compensatory or punitive damages when appropriate. Therefore, the combination that can be awarded is compensatory and punitive damages.