Which of the following would be classified as punitive damages?

Punitive damages are specifically designed to serve as a financial penalty against a wrongdoer, aimed at deterring similar conduct in the future. They are not intended to compensate the injured party for losses incurred, but rather to punish the defendant for particularly egregious behavior and to set an example for others.

In the context of the provided options, the option that accurately reflects the definition of punitive damages is the one that describes financial punishment to discourage similar actions. This aligns with the purpose of punitive damages in tort law, which is to go beyond mere compensation for losses and address behavior that society considers unacceptable.

The other options relate to various forms of compensatory damages. Reimbursement for medical expenses and payment for the replacement of lost property directly cover actual losses and are therefore not punitive in nature. Compensation for pain and suffering, while it can sometimes have a punitive aspect in certain contexts, primarily serves to address the emotional and psychological impact of the injury rather than punishing the wrongdoer. Hence, the correct answer focuses on the punitive aspect aimed at deterrence.