What type of damages might not require a receipt?

General damages pertain to compensation awarded for non-monetary losses suffered as a result of an injury or harm. These damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, or loss of enjoyment of life. Because these types of damages do not focus on quantifiable economic loss, they typically do not require a receipt to substantiate the claim. Instead, they are assessed based on the impact of the injury on the claimant’s life and well-being, which is often determined by the court or through testimony rather than by specific financial documentation.

In contrast, special damages, compensatory damages, and punitive damages have distinct characteristics that often involve tangible losses or are meant to punish the wrongdoer. Special damages, for example, need receipts for medical bills or lost wages since they quantify specific economic losses. Compensatory damages encompass both general and special damages, emphasizing the need for receipt documentation for the special component. Punitive damages are typically awarded above and beyond compensatory damages to deter wrongful conduct but also do not hinge on receipts as they focus on the defendant's behavior rather than the plaintiff's losses.