What is the difference between general and punitive damages?

Asked by: Dr. Arlo Goyette  |  Last update: September 4, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (66 votes)

General and special damages are compensatory damages, which serve to compensate the plaintiff for economic loss and pain and suffering, attempting to make them whole. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for his or her negligence or recklessness.

What are examples of general damages?

General Damages
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Disfigurement.
  • Physical impairment.
  • Mental health issues.
  • Loss of love, care, and companionship.
  • Reduced quality of life.
  • Future pain and suffering.

What are general damages?

Damages that arise directly and inevitably from a breach of contract. In other words, those damages that would be theoretically suffered by every injured party under these circumstances.

What are the 3 types of damages?

Types of Damages
  • COMPENSATORY. Compensatory damages are generally the most identifiable and concrete type of damages. ...
  • GENERAL. General damages are sought in conjunction with compensatory damages. ...
  • PUNITIVE. Punitive damages are meant to punish a Defendant for particularly egregious conduct.

What is an example of a punitive damage?

Example of Punitive Damages

The customer files a civil lawsuit against the weight loss company to cover their medical expenses and lost wages, claiming the company should have known the supplements would react with prescription medication and should have issued a warning about these risks.

What's the difference between General vs. Special vs. Punitive Damages?

28 related questions found

Who receives the punitive damages?

While the intent and purposes of punitive damages imposed on a company are not designed to compensate the plaintiff, they will receive the monetary award. If punitive damages are ordered by a court, they are essentially punishing the defendant, who must pay the amount of money designated and give it to the plaintiff.

What do punitive damages mean?

Punitive damages are awarded in addition to actual damages in certain circumstances. Punitive damages are considered punishment and are typically awarded at the court's discretion when the defendant's behavior is found to be especially harmful.

What is non punitive damage?

Related Definitions

Non-Compensatory Damages means any and all damages awarded by a court of competent jurisdiction that are penal in nature, including, without limitation, punitive, punitory, exemplary, vindictive, imaginary or presumptive damages. Sample 2.

Which of the following qualifies for compensation as general damages?

General damages award the injured person for the non-monetary losses that they endured due to an accident. Non-monetary losses include pain and suffering, loss of companionship, physical disfigurement, mental anguish, and a general loss of enjoyment in life that results from diminished wellness.

What are the 2 types of compensatory damages?

There are two types of compensatory damages—general and actual. Actual damages are intended to provide funds to only replace what was lost. General compensatory damages awarded are more complex, as these compensatory damages do not represent a monetary expenditure.

What does the term general damages mean in law?

This means that courts indemnify an injured party for “physical arrangements which can make [the person's] life more endurable”, or, as stated in Lindal v. Lindal, [1981] 2 SCR 629 p 634, “to substitute other enjoyments and pleasures for those that have been lost”.

Which of the following would be classified as general damages?

General damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of companionship. Special damages are awarded for out-of-pocket or economic losses such as medical costs, loss or income, or damage to property.

What is the difference between general and specific damages?

Special damages refer to 'those items of loss which the plaintiff has suffered prior to the date of trial and which are capable of precise arithmetical calculation—such as hospital expenses'. General damages refer to all injuries which are not capable of precise calculation.

What are three 3 types of damages award in a tort case?

There are 3 types of damages: economic, non-economic, and exemplary.

What are the two types of damages?

Generally, there are two types of damages: compensatory and punitive. (The term "damages" typically includes both categories, but the term, "actual damages" is synonymous with compensatory damages, and excludes punitive damages.)

What do most states use as a general guideline for punitive damages?

In most states, the jury is instructed to consider both objective and subjective factors. These factors include the reprehensibility of the defendant's misconduct, the amount of punitive damages that would deter the defendant based on the defendant's wealth, and the nature of the plaintiff's injury.

How are general damages calculated?

General damages will be calculated based on the level of pain and suffering you have experienced as a result of your personal injury or illness. Medical evidence will be used to support this element of your claim.

What are the four types of damages?

One of the most common remedies comes in the form of damages, or monetary awards, which are further broken down into four general categories.
  • Compensatory Damages. Compensatory damages (or “actual damages”) are specifically meant to make up for the plaintiff's losses. ...
  • Punitive Damages. ...
  • Liquidation Damages. ...
  • Nominal Damages.

What is the difference between punitive and compensatory damages?

Compensatory damages are given to the injured victim to help pay for medical expenses and other damages created, while punitive damages are meant to penalize the at-fault party.

What do you mean by punitive?

Definition of punitive

: inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment severe punitive measures.

Can you receive both compensatory and punitive damages?

Judges or juries can award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages in some lawsuits. California Civil Code 3294 allows juries to award them – but the victim in the case has to prove that the defendant's conduct amounted to malice, oppression or fraud, such as when the case involves intentional harm or ...

How often are punitive damages awarded?

However, statistical studies by law professors and the Department of Justice have found that punitive damages are only awarded in two percent of civil cases which go to trial, and that the median punitive damage award is between $38,000 and $50,000.

What are punitive actions?

Punitive describes inflicting a punishment. If someone takes punitive action against you, you'll probably whine and complain — you're in trouble and you're about to get punished.

How are punitive damages measured?

To determine the amount of punitive damages to award, the Book of Approved Jury Instructions (BAJI) states that the jury should consider: (1) The reprehensibility of the conduct of the defendant. (2) The defendant's financial condition and (3) the relationship to actual damages.

Which of the following is a main goal of punitive damages?

While the purpose of punitive damages is to punish the defendant — and set an example — rather than compensate the plaintiff, the plaintiff will still receive all or some of the damages awarded.