Legal Question in Business Law in Illinois

Punitive damages are available in certain cases where the defendant has done something intentionally wrong causing actual damages to the plaintiff. They are intended to "punish" the defendant for his or her wrongful conduct and deter the defendant from like conduct inthe future.. They are not available in cases where the defendant negligently causes the plaintiff actual damages.

To further clarify, punitive damages are sometimes available in negligence cases when the conduct is considered to be wilfull and/or wanton or considered to be gross negligence.