What are special damages?

Special damages refer to actual quantified damages that can be specifically calculated and documented. These damages typically encompass any out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a direct result of an injury or harm, such as medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and property damage. The key characteristic of special damages is that they can be assigned a definitive monetary value, thus allowing for precise compensation in legal cases.

This contrasts with other types of damages, which either do not have a specific monetary amount attached (as in the case of non-economic compensations for pain and suffering or emotional distress) or are intended as punitive measures to deter future wrongful conduct (such as punitive damages). Therefore, identifying special damages accurately is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the financial implications involved in risk management and legal resolution in healthcare scenarios.