A truck with defective brakes runs off the street and crashes into Lima's home, damaging the property and injuring her. In a successful tort action against the truck's owner for gross negligence, Lima may be awarded punitive damages to

A) compensate for her total losses.
B) put her into the same position she would have been in if the tort had not occurred.
C) punish the defendant and deter others from similar wrongdoing.
D) all of the choices.

Gross Negligence

A legal concept signifying a severe degree of negligence demonstrating a reckless disregard for the safety or lives of others.

Punitive Damages

Monetary compensation awarded to a plaintiff that goes beyond what is necessary to compensate for losses and is intended to punish the defendant for egregious behavior.

Compensate

To compensate means to provide something, typically money, in recognition of loss, suffering, or damage incurred; a form of recompense.