In negligence claims, which of the following is typically considered a damages category?

• A. Economic losses
• B. Hurt feelings
• C. Punitive damages
• D. Taxes avoided

Answer: (A)

Damages in negligence are meant to restore the injured party financially to where they would have been if the harm hadn’t occurred. The most common and straightforward category is economic losses, which cover tangible, calculable costs like medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and property repair or replacement. These are the types of damages courts routinely award to make the plaintiff financially whole.

Hurt feelings describes emotional or subjective distress, which, when recoverable at all, falls under non-economic damages rather than the basic, standard category of compensable financial losses. Punitive damages exist, but they’re a separate, special category aimed at punishing egregious conduct and aren’t the typical form of damages awarded for ordinary negligence. Taxes avoided aren’t a recognized damages category in tort claims.