What are the different forms of damages in civil law?

In California civil law, damages refer to the amount of money that is awarded to a party that has been wronged in a civil court case. There are several different types of damages that a plaintiff may seek from a defendant, depending on the situation. The most common form of damages are compensatory, which are designed to help make the plaintiff “whole” again. These damages are meant to value for any physical and emotional injuries, losses or costs that were incurred due to the defendant’s actions. This may include medical bills, lost wages, and other economic damages. Another form of damages is known as general damages. These are meant to compensate the plaintiff for any non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, mental distress, humiliation, and lost quality of life. These damages are more difficult to determine since they are intangible, and are typically determined by the jury in the case. Punitive damages are another type of damages available in civil law. These damages are meant to punish the defendant for their actions, and are typically determined based on the defendant’s conduct and how much money the plaintiff is seeking. Punitive damages are less common in civil cases, and usually only awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions are seen as particularly egregious. Finally, nominal damages are also possible in civil law. These are usually small amounts of money, such as one or two dollars, that are intended to recognize a technical harm or injury but not to actually compensate the plaintiff. Nominal damages are typically only awarded in cases where the harm is minor or unproven.

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