Which type of damages includes payment for pain and suffering?

Compensatory damages are intended to compensate the injured party for losses suffered due to another's actions. This type of damage encompasses both economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic losses, which include pain and suffering. By awarding compensatory damages for pain and suffering, the legal system acknowledges the intangible distress experienced by the victim, aiming to restore them to the position they were in prior to the offense as closely as possible.

In contrast, punitive damages are not focused on compensating the victim for specific losses but instead serve to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future. Special damages specifically refer to quantifiable monetary losses stemming from the injury, while nominal damages represent a small monetary amount awarded when a legal right has been violated, but no substantial loss has occurred. Hence, it is compensatory damages that directly address the aspect of pain and suffering.