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.
The general public is probably familiar with the term âpunitive damagesâ due to high-profile jury verdicts. However, where a case proceeds to trial, punitive damages are awarded in a very small percentage of injury cases. In order to be awarded punitive damages, the defendantâs behavior must be especially reprehensible and deserving of punishment.