What are punitive damages?

Punitive damages are awarded to punish defendants for particularly egregious conduct and deter similar behavior in the future. They're separate from compensating you for your losses. In Colorado, punitive damages are only available when the defendant's conduct was willful and wanton, meaning they acted with reckless disregard for the safety of others. Punitive damages are relatively rare in personal injury cases and require a higher standard of proof. Examples might include drunk driving with an extremely high BAC or a company knowingly ignoring serious safety hazards. In catastrophic injury cases involving egregious misconduct, punitive damages can significantly increase total recovery. Colorado law caps punitive damages at an amount equal to the compensatory damages awarded.