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.
Compensatory damages, also known as âactual damages,â pay for such losses as damage to the plaintiffâs car in an accident, injuries sustained in a slip-and-fall accident, or money lost due to the defendantâs breach of contract. Punitive damages are awarded as punishment for the misconduct of the defendant.