Damages awarded in a personal injury lawsuit can come in several forms; one form is aggravated damages. These damages are awarded in addition to the other types of damages a plaintiff could be awarded in a lawsuit. The award of aggravated damages, like others, is ordered to be paid by the defendant, who has been sued by the plaintiff. If aggravated dames are ordered, it indicates the judgment of the court that the actions of the defendant were so negative that they are worth added compensation (to the plaintiff). It shows the defendant acted maliciously or inappropriately beyond simply breaking the law. In a personal injury lawsuit, aggravated damages could be awarded in several scenarios as deemed necessary by the court.