Court Opinion

ID: 9543123
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:42:21.837899+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:09:43.494978
License: Public Domain

V. J. Brennan, P.J.
(concurring). I concur in the above opinion and only write separately to express my concern with the recurring confusion that arises over instructions on "punitive” and "exemplary” damages. While it often appears that the two terms are used interchangeably, there is a real, legal significance which goes beyond mere semantics. Legally, the focus of the two damages is different. Punitive damages are awarded solely to punish or to make an example of a defendant because of the malice or recklessness with which he acted. Exemplary damages are awarded for *72injury to feelings and for the sense of indignity and humiliation suffered by a plaintiff because of injury maliciously and wantonly inflicted. In other words, "punitive” damages focus upon "punishing” a defendant and "exemplary” damages focus upon "compensating” a plaintiff. American Central Corp v Stevens Van Lines, 103 Mich App 507; 303 NW2d 234 (1980), Wronski v Sun Oil Co, 89 Mich App 11, 27; 279 NW2d 564 (1979), lv den 407 Mich 863 (1979), Ray v Detroit, 67 Mich App 702, 704; 242 NW2d 494 (1976), lv den 397 Mich 828 (1976).
As the Michigan Supreme Court most recently reaffirmed, only exemplary damages which are compensatory in nature are allowed. Damages cannot be recovered for the purpose of punishing a defendant. Kewin v Massachusetts Mutual Life Ins Co, 409 Mich 401, 419; 295 NW2d 50 (1980), Ray, supra.
Since Michigan does not permit punitive damages, the term should be eliminated from our legal parlance. Jury instructions, such as those given in the instant case, which use the term "punitive damages”, while at the same time disclaiming that damages can be given to. "punish” the defendant, will inevitably lead to jury confusion and invite appellate review.