What type of damages are awarded for emotional losses that continue after the trial date?

• A. Special damages
• B. Compensatory damages - General
• C. Punitive damages
• D. Nominal damages

Answer: (B)

The correct answer is that compensatory damages - general are awarded for emotional losses that continue after the trial date. Compensatory damages are designed to make the injured party whole, addressing the actual losses they have suffered due to a defendant's actions. These encompass both economic and non-economic losses.

General damages specifically refer to non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, or other subjective experiences that do not have a specific monetary value attached to them. Since emotional losses can extend beyond the trial date and may not be easily quantifiable, they are included in general damages. This category acknowledges the ongoing nature of emotional suffering that may persist long after a trial's conclusion.

In contrast, other types of damages like special damages are typically quantifiable monetary losses, such as medical expenses or lost wages, and do not encompass ongoing emotional issues. Punitive damages serve as a punishment for particularly egregious behavior and are not intended to compensate for emotional loss. Nominal damages are awarded when a legal wrong has occurred without a significant loss suffered by the plaintiff, primarily serving to affirm the right without addressing emotional harms adequately.