What type of damages are awarded to restore a plaintiff to their previous condition prior to an incident?

Compensatory damages are specifically designed to restore a plaintiff to their pre-incident condition by providing monetary compensation for losses suffered due to an injury or incident. This type of damages typically covers both economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic losses like pain and suffering. The goal is to make the injured party whole again, reflecting the actual loss they experienced as a result of the incident.

Recognizing the nature of compensatory damages is essential in legal contexts because it aims to address the real impact of an injury on an individual's life. This is distinct from other types of damages, such as punitive damages, which are intended to punish the offender and deter future misconduct rather than directly compensate the victim. Similarly, compensation for losses can be broader and may not specifically refer to the legal determination of harm, while nominal damages typically signify a small amount awarded when a legal wrong has occurred without significant loss being proven. Therefore, compensatory damages are the most fitting choice for the intention of restoring the plaintiff's condition before the incident occurred.