OP is probably referring to the fact that in wrongful death suits, society has put a very tangible financial number on the value of human life. This made it possible for corporations to make trade-off between profit and liability, giving the potential that someone could get enough profit to justify risking others’ lives.

Punitive damages go part way to help prevent this, but not far enough to guarantee that it never happens.

Had the society truly believed life to be sacred, I suspect we’d have very different business practices and penalties that are not limited to financial ruin.