Since these injuries are life-altering by nature, it is understandable that some plaintiffs and their families want to punish the person who hurt them rather than simply recover for devastating losses. However, while plaintiffs can seek punitive damages under current state law, courts generally only award these damages in cases involving wanton disregard for public safety or intentionally malicious acts by the defendant, such as for drunk driving, texting while driving, or speeding in a construction zone.