Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

Compensatory damages are meant to:

1. Punish the wrongdoer

2. Repay the victim for lost property or injury

3. Seek justice for the community

4. Provide monetary benefits to the court

The correct answer is: Repay the victim for lost property or injury

Compensatory damages are designed to reimburse a victim for the actual losses or injuries they have suffered due to another's actions. This form of damages aims to restore the victim to the position they would have been in had the harm not occurred. It encompasses various types of losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and damages to personal property. The focus of compensatory damages is on addressing the specific losses experienced by the individual, rather than serving as a punitive measure or benefiting the court or the community at large. Therefore, the correct choice reflects the fundamental purpose of compensatory damages in civil law, which is to repay the victim for their losses and assist in their recovery.