What types of damages can a plaintiff recover in a negligence case?

In a negligence case, the plaintiff can recover compensatory damages for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses often include tangible costs such as medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages, which can be calculated with precision. Non-economic losses encompass more subjective damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. This comprehensive approach ensures that the injured party is fully compensated for all harm suffered as a result of the defendant's negligent actions.

The distinction between compensatory damages and punitive damages also highlights the nature of damages awarded in negligence cases. Compensatory damages aim to reimburse the victim for their losses, restoring them to the position they were in before the injury as much as possible. In contrast, punitive damages, which are not typically awarded in standard negligence cases, serve a different purpose – to punish the defendant for particularly egregious behavior and deter similar future conduct. Thus, while punitive damages may occur in some tort situations, they are not a primary focus in most negligence cases.

Recognizing this distinction clarifies why the answer that includes both economic and non-economic losses as compensatory damages is the correct one, providing a more holistic view of the types of damages that may be pursued by a plaintiff in a negligence lawsuit