What type of damages refers to losses that are not directly measurable, like emotional distress?

• A. General Damages
• B. Special Damages
• C. Pecuniary Damages
• D. Nominal Damages

Answer: (A)

General damages are compensation awarded for non-monetary losses that are not easily quantifiable or calculated. These damages typically encompass emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and other subjective factors that affect a person's quality of life. Unlike special damages, which involve specific monetary losses such as medical expenses or lost wages, general damages address the more intangible impacts of an injury or a tortious act.

In this context, when an individual experiences emotional distress due to an incident, the costs associated with that distress do not have a precise financial figure attributed to them. Instead, a court assesses the severity and impact of the distress and awards a sum that reflects the suffering endured.

The other types of damages refer to specific circumstances: special damages involve quantifiable financial losses; pecuniary damages are strictly financial and measurable; and nominal damages are minimal amounts awarded when a legal wrong has occurred, but no substantial loss or damage has been proven. Therefore, general damages are the correct classification for intangible losses like emotional distress.