What is intended to compensate the victim for their injuries?

Compensatory damages are specifically designed to reimburse the victim for the losses they have incurred due to an injury. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs that result from the incident in question. The primary goal of compensatory damages is to restore the victim, as much as possible, to the position they were in before the injury occurred. By providing financial compensation, these damages aim to cover both the economic and non-economic impacts of the harm suffered, making them a fundamental aspect of personal injury claims.

In contrast, other types of damages, such as punitive damages, are awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future, rather than to compensate the victim directly for their losses. Nominal damages are typically awarded in cases where a legal wrong occurred but no substantial loss was experienced, serving more as a recognition of the breach rather than a means of compensation. Exemplary damages are a similar concept to punitive damages, intended also to serve as a deterrent rather than to directly address the victim's injury.