What are the two main types of damages in tort law?

In tort law, the two main types of damages are compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate the victim for their losses, including both economic and non-economic harms. This can cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other actual costs incurred due to the tortious act. The goal is to make the injured party "whole" again to the extent that money can, reflecting the actual damages suffered.

On the other hand, punitive damages serve a different purpose. They are awarded not just to compensate the victim but to punish the wrongdoer for particularly harmful, malicious, or egregious behavior and to deter similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are not awarded in every case; they are typically reserved for instances where the defendant's actions are found to be especially reprehensible, and they thus elevate the standard in tort cases beyond mere compensation.

Other options do not accurately represent the main types of damages in tort law. Reparative damages are not a standard classification in tort law terminology. Nominal damages are minor awards granted when a legal wrong has occurred but does not result in a substantial loss that can be quantified or proved. Statutory damages and actual damages also do not fit within the primary