When are punitive damages typically awarded?

Punitive damages are typically awarded in situations where the defendant's conduct is found to be particularly egregious, reckless, or intentionally harmful, going beyond just the basic failure to adhere to a contract. In breach of contract disputes that also involve tort claims, punitive damages may apply because the tort (such as fraud or negligence) demonstrates a higher degree of culpability. This is where the legal system aims not only to compensate the victim for their loss but also to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from engaging in similar behavior.

This form of damages is not reserved for mere financial loss, as in option A, nor is it applicable in every breach of contract scenario, as option C suggests. Breach of contract generally focuses on compensatory damages, which aim to make the wronged party whole but do not serve a punitive purpose. Similarly, the timing of estimating damages, which pertains to option D, does not directly connect to the issue of punitive damages, as these are specifically linked to the nature of the conduct and the associated tort claim, rather than the calculability of financial loss at the time of the breach. Thus, the context and justification for punitive damages are aligned with situations where wrongful behavior intersects with contractual disputes, making option B the correct