What term is used for damages specifically intended to punish a defendant for extreme behavior?

The term used for damages specifically intended to punish a defendant for extreme behavior is punitive damages. This type of damages goes beyond compensating the plaintiff for losses and serves a different purpose: to deter the defendant and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future.

Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the defendant's actions are found to be particularly egregious, willful, or malicious. They act as a legal consequence for behavior that is deemed unacceptable by societal standards. For instance, in cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm, the courts may decide that merely compensating the victim is insufficient and therefore impose punitive damages.

In contrast, the other types of damages listed serve different functions. Compensatory damages aim to reimburse a plaintiff for actual losses incurred, general damages typically cover non-monetary losses such as pain and suffering, and special damages refer to specific monetary losses that can be quantified, like medical expenses or lost wages. Each of these alternatives plays a crucial role in the legal system but does not carry the punitive intent associated with punitive damages.