Damages

Compensatory damages

Compensatory damages (actual damages) reimburse the plaintiff for losses incurred. These damages make the plaintiff financially whole, covering their financial expenses and other measurable harms.

Special damages of duty

Special damages are a subset of actual damages. These damages are awarded to compensate the plaintiff for specific financial losses that can be quantified, such as medical bills or any other out-of-pocket costs directly resulting from the harm suffered.

General damages

General damages are non-economic damages that cannot be easily quantified. These non-economic damages compensate the plaintiff for subjective losses, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Unlike special damages, general damages are more subjective and vary depending on the circumstances of a case.

Punitive damages

Exemplary damages are different from compensatory damages. These damages are not awarded to compensate the plaintiff for their losses but to punish the defendant for their wrongful actions, deterring similar conduct in the future. These damages are reserved for cases involving intentional wrongdoing or gross negligence