What type of damages are intended to compensate a plaintiff for harm caused by a defendant's actions?

Compensatory damages are specifically designed to reimburse a plaintiff for the actual harm or loss they have suffered as a result of a defendant's actions. These damages aim to restore the injured party to the position they would have been in had the harm not occurred. Compensatory damages can include various types of losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. By focusing on actual losses experienced, compensatory damages help ensure that the plaintiff is made whole, which is a fundamental principle of tort law.

Liquidated damages, on the other hand, are predetermined amounts agreed upon in a contract to be paid in the event of a breach, rather than a direct compensation for harm. General damages relate to non-economic losses like emotional distress, which might not have a specific dollar amount attached to them. Punitive damages serve a different purpose altogether, as they are intended to punish the defendant for particularly egregious behavior and deter similar future conduct, rather than simply compensating the victim.