That really seems like it depends on what the damage a particular action causes.

Property destruction, for example, probably shouldn't scale. If I, accidentally, destroy your shoes, I need to buy you a new pair of shoes (and maybe a bit extra for your inconvenience). The goal is to make the victim whole again.

For things with the potential for loss of life, the goal is primarily deterrence, I think that's where things make more sense to start scaling.