President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, announcing, that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious areas are, and henceforward shall be free..
Definition of punitive damages. : damages awarded in excess of compensation to the plaintiff to punish a defendant for a serious wrong.
Substantially higher awards of punitive damages may be seen in cases in which: 1  The harm done is difficult to put a value on. 2  There are injuries that are difficult to detect, or which are likely to need continued care in the future. 3  The defendantâs conduct was extraordinarily offensive.