what is the difference between compensatory damages and punitive damages 
compensatory damages differ from punitive damages which may compensate over and above any loss or damage incurred and are meant to provide an incentive against repeating the act that caused the plaintiff s loss or damages cases related to compensatory and punitive damages are a major source of debate in the field of health insurance as proponents of tort reform claim that excessive damages above the actual loss incurred can increase the overall cost of healthcare compensatory damages are intended to compensate the plaintiff of a lawsuit with enough money to cover the loss caused by the defendant 