What is the difference between "general damages" and "special damages"?

The distinction between general damages and special damages is crucial in the context of civil litigation, particularly in personal injury cases. General damages are intended to compensate an injured party for non-economic losses, which are subjective and not easily quantifiable. These damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship. They aim to address the more intangible effects of an injury.

In contrast, special damages refer to compensatory losses that can be precisely calculated. These typically encompass economic losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Since they are quantifiable, special damages provide a more concrete measure of the financial impact of an injury.

The chosen answer captures this distinction accurately. General damages focus on the subjective experience of the injury, while special damages relate to specific, measurable economic losses that have occurred as a result of the incident. Therefore, understanding this difference is essential for evaluating claims and determining appropriate compensation in civil cases. Other options either misrepresent the nature of the damages or fail to accurately delineate their differences.