Which type of damages refers to pain and suffering in tort cases?

In tort cases, general damages specifically refer to non-monetary losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship. Unlike compensatory damages, which focus on quantifiable losses like medical expenses and lost wages, general damages encompass more subjective experiences that are not easily measurable. General damages are meant to compensate the injured party for the impact of the injury on their overall quality of life, acknowledging that pain and suffering can have significant effects on an individual's mental and emotional well-being.

In contrast, compensatory damages include both general and special damages, while special damages refer to specific, quantifiable financial losses incurred as a result of the injury. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are awarded not to compensate the injured party but rather to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. Therefore, general damages are the appropriate category for pain and suffering in tort law.