11.72 Damages: Punitive (42 U.S.C. CIV. 1981) refers to a legal concept in the United States where a person can seek punitive damages in a court of law. These damages are meant to punish the defendant for wrongful or malicious conduct, and are separate from compensatory damages, which are meant to make up for the losses of the plaintiff. Punitive damages are often awarded in cases where the defendant has acted with recklessness, gross negligence, or fraud. 42 U.S.C. CIV. 1981 is the federal law that allows for punitive damages, and it states that all persons within the jurisdiction of the US have the same right to sue as do white citizens. There are various types of punitive damages, depending on the jurisdiction, but they may include exemplary damages, treble damages, or multiple damages.