Punitive damages differ from other damages in that punitive damages are meant to punish defendants rather than just compensate plaintiffs.
As established in Walker v Sheldon, 10 NY2d 401, 405, punitive damages are only appropriate where a doctor acts with a high degree of moral turpitude, or when a doctor demonstrates such wanton and reckless disregard for a person’s safety that they should be punished for their actions.