What is the difference between special damages and general damages?

Asked by: Maya Romaguera  |  Last update: November 7, 2023
Score: 5/5 (53 votes)

In tort law, special damages are damages like car dents or medical expenses that can actually be ascertained, and they are contrasted with general damages, which refer to damages for things like intentional infliction of emotional distress which do not have a set monetary cost.

What is the difference between general and special damages?

Importantly, there are two types of personal injury compensation: General damages – which cover your actual injuries or medical condition, ongoing suffering, etc. Special damages – which cover the cost of actual financial losses.

What are examples of special damages?

Types of Special Damages
  • Lost wages and loss of earning capacity.
  • Medical expenses, both past and future.
  • Loss of irreplaceable items.
  • Replacement or repair of property damage.
  • Personal care costs.
  • Cost of living with a disability.
  • Costs associated with lessening their own liability.

What are general damages?

general damages. n. monetary recovery (money won) in a lawsuit for injuries suffered (such as pain, suffering, inability to perform certain functions) or breach of contract for which there is no exact dollar value which can be calculated.

What is the difference between general and special damages quizlet?

Special damages compensate the plaintiff for quantifiable monetary losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, etc. General damages compensate individuals (not companies) for the nonmonetary aspects of the harm suffered, such as pain and suffering.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPECIAL AND GENERAL DAMAGES? SPECIAL AND GENERAL DAMAGES #shorts

38 related questions found

What are special damages for?

In definition, special damages are categories of damages that financially compensate the injured person for losses suffered due to the defendant's actions. They are out-of-pocket expenses that can be determined by adding all the plaintiff's quantifiable financial losses.

Which of the following is an example of general damages?

Examples of general damages include: physical pain and suffering (compensation for being in pain); physical injury or impairment (disfigurement or disability); mental pain and anguish (trauma, stress and anxiety); diminished quality of life (relying on others, lack of mobility, etc.); loss of companionship and support ...

What are general damages often used to?

General damages are awards of money given to the plaintiff in a lawsuit by the defendant to make reparations for injuries or a breach of contract in cases when it is difficult to calculate a dollar value for the amount.

What is the difference between general and special compensatory damages?

There are two separate types of compensatory damages: “general damages” and “special damages.” General damages are the non-economic damages, commonly referred to as pain and suffering. Special Damages are economic damages, the medical bills, the lost earnings, all out-of-pocket expenses incurred because of the injury.

What do general damages compensate for?

General damages are in place to compensate the victim for the non economic loss such as emotional distress, and pain and suffering. These losses are generally difficult to calculate, as there is no true economic value that can be placed on the amount of distress one suffered.

What is a claim for special damages?

Special damages is compensation to cover the financial losses and expenses incurred as a result of an accident or negligent medical treatment. The aim is to put you back in the financial position you would have been in, had the accident or medical negligence not occurred.

What are the 4 main types of damages?

Today, we're looking into four types of damages you may be able to receive in a breach of contract case.
  • Compensatory damages. ...
  • Punitive damages. ...
  • Nominal damages. ...
  • Liquidated damages.

What are the 2 types of damages that can be awarded?

There are two types of damages that may be awarded: compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate for actual losses, while punitive damages aim to punish the defendant.

What are direct or general damages?

Direct or general damages are those which are the necessary and immediate consequence of the wrong-while indirect or special damages are sometimes granted in respect of its remoter conse- quences. i. Damnum Absque Injuria. Injury without wrong.

Is general damages the same as pain and suffering?

Pain and suffering are “general,” damages; as opposed to “special” damages, which deal with economic losses. These are ordinarily the most lucrative aspect of your personal injury matter. The damages awarded include future pain and suffering damages, as well as past damages.

What is an example of general compensatory damages?

General Damages

Pain and suffering: aches, pains, scarring, and permanent or temporary limitations on activity. Emotional distress: mental anguish or emotional distress caused by a physical injury, physical contact, sexual harassment, slander, or libel.

What is classified as general damage in insurance?

General damages are compensation for losses that don't have a specific price tag but still come from an injury caused by someone else's negligence. General damages compensate a plaintiff for intangible things—things that are truly felt but invisible and highly subjective.

What is without proof of special damages?

Without proof of special damage means, that the Plaintiff need not prove that she has suffered any resulting damages, as any damage is presumed because of the nature of the defamation.

What types of losses are considered general damages choose all that apply?

What is Covered By General Damages?
  • Pain and suffering.
  • Emotional distress.
  • Mental anguish.
  • Permanent scarring/disfigurement.
  • Permanent disability/impairment.
  • Loss of quality of life.

What type of damages are most likely to be awarded?

Compensatory Damages. Compensatory damages are the most common type of damages in personal injury cases. These are meant to compensate the injured person for their losses, including medical costs and expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What are the three measures of damages?

There are three bases of assessment.
  • Expectation interest/loss of bargain. Expectation damages include: Benefit of bargain. Lost profit. Cost of cover.
  • Reliance interest - interest created based on reliance on contract or promise.
  • Restitutionary interest.

What are the three 3 types of civil damages?

Civil damages refers to how much money you may get in a settlement or court award (Kenton, 2020). There are three types of damage that form the foundation of most civil lawsuits: compensatory, nominal, and punitive. An attorney can estimate how much your claim may be worth based on your damages.

What is the opposite of general damages?

General damages are the opposite of special damages. They describe the noneconomic or intangible losses suffered by an accident victim.

Is mental anguish an example of general damages?

General damages, also known as non-economic damages, are awarded for losses that are not easily quantifiable. For example: Pain and suffering: This can include physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish that the injured party has suffered.

What are special damages recoverable for?

Special damages (also called “consequential damages”) cover any loss incurred by the breach of contract because of special circumstances or conditions that are not ordinarily predictable.