Punitive damages are sometimes awarded in New Jersey medical malpractice lawsuits, but they are capped at either a five-times multiple of the total compensatory damages amount or, $350,000 — whichever is the larger amount. Punitive damage awards are not common in NJ civil lawsuits. They are awarded in cases involving willful, malicious, and egregious conduct by one or more of the defendants, with the intention of discouraging others from similar behavior in the future. Such damages are also meant to “punish” the defendant from egregious behavior. In the opioid prescription malpractice context, if your treating physician was well aware that you already had an opioid addiction, but still continued to prescribe a high dosage of oxycodone, then it is possible that punitive damages may be available in your case.