In tort law, what does 'damages' typically refer to?

In tort law, 'damages' typically refers to monetary compensation awarded to a person who has suffered harm or injury due to the actions or negligence of another party. This compensation is intended to restore the injured party to the position they would have been in had the tort not occurred. Damages can cover various types of losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic harm. The central concept is that when one person’s wrongful actions cause another to suffer, the responsible party may be ordered to provide financial restitution as a remedy for the harm inflicted.

Other options, while related to legal proceedings, address distinct components that do not define damages within tort law. Legal costs pertain to expenses incurred during litigation and do not reflect the compensation for harm. Penalties imposed by the court refer to punitive measures designed to punish wrongful conduct rather than to compensate a victim. Injunctions are court orders that direct a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act, which is also separate from the concept of monetary damages. Thus, understanding 'damages' as monetary compensation highlights its primary role in achieving justice and fairness for the harmed party in tort law.