General damages compensate for which type of loss?

General damages are designed to compensate for non-economic losses that are typically more subjective and challenging to quantify. This includes emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and other intangible harms that result from an injury or wrongdoing. Unlike special damages, which are tied to concrete, measurable expenses such as medical bills and lost wages, general damages account for the broader impact of the injury on the individual's quality of life.

Understanding that general damages focus on the compensable emotional and psychological aspects helps clarify their distinction from other types of damages. The other options address specific financial losses, punitive measures, or direct economic impacts, all of which do not capture the essence of general damages in personal injury law. Thus, the emphasis on non-economic losses highlights the correct application of general damages in various legal contexts.