Compensatory Damages
Money awarded to a plaintiff to compensate for actual losses suffered, including both economic and non-economic damages.
In Personal Injury Cases
The goal of compensatory damages is to make the injured person "whole" again by covering all losses caused by the injury, from medical expenses to emotional distress.
Related Legal Terms
Economic Damages
Quantifiable monetary losses resulting from an injury, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Compensation for intangible losses that don't have a specific dollar value, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Special Damages
Another term for economic damages—quantifiable monetary losses with specific dollar amounts.
General Damages
Another term for non-economic damages—intangible losses without specific dollar amounts.
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