Which type of damages covers medical bills and loss of wages in tort cases?

Special damages are intended to compensate for specific, quantifiable losses that a plaintiff incurs as a direct result of a tort. This type of damages covers medical bills, which include expenses for treatments, surgeries, and rehabilitation, as well as loss of wages, which accounts for income lost due to injury or incapacity to work. These damages are distinct from other types of damages because they can be calculated based on actual economic loss, providing a precise figure that reflects the financial impact of the tort on the victim's life.

General damages, on the other hand, are intended to cover non-economic losses such as pain and suffering or emotional distress and are not easily quantifiable. Extraordinary damages is not a standard term used in the context of tort law; it may imply an unusual or excessive amount but does not have a defined legal meaning. Punitive damages serve a different purpose altogether; they are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future rather than to compensate the victim for their losses. Therefore, special damages accurately reflect the compensation for identifiable financial losses in tort cases.