What do general damages cover?

General damages primarily cover non-economic losses that a person experiences as a result of an injury, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium. These types of damages are more subjective and do not have a specific monetary amount tied to them, unlike economic damages which are quantifiable.

In personal injury cases, general damages address the overall impact on an individual's quality of life following an injury. For example, while someone may receive economic compensation for their medical bills or lost wages directly, general damages seek to compensate for the intangible effects, helping to acknowledge the suffering and reduced well-being experienced by the injured party.

This distinguishes general damages from other categories that focus on specific financial losses or expenses, reinforcing the unique role general damages play in providing a form of holistic compensation for injuries.