What Are General Damages?

General damages are a key concept in personal injury and tort law. They refer to the non-economic losses that naturally result from a wrongful act — the kinds of harm any injured person would likely experience. This guide explains what general damages are, how they differ from special damages, how they’re calculated in personal injury cases, and why they matter when pursuing compensation.

What Are General Damages in Personal Injury Law?

In personal injury law, general damages compensate victims for the intangible losses caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful act. These damages don’t have a clear price tag — they cover pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, rather than financial losses like medical bills or lost income.

Unlike special damages, which are specific and measurable, general damages are subjective and based on how deeply the injury affects a person’s daily life and well-being.

Examples of general damages include:

• Physical pain and suffering resulting from the injury
  
  
• Emotional distress, anxiety, or depression
  
  
• Loss of companionship or consortium
  
  
• Reduced quality of life or inability to enjoy hobbies
  
  

Key takeaways:

• General damages are non-economic and subjective.
  
  
• They arise naturally from a wrongful act, not from specific proof of expenses.
  
  
• They compensate victims for emotional, physical, and lifestyle impacts.
  
  
• Courts and insurers rely on expert testimony and legal precedent to estimate their value.
  

  
  How Are General Damages Calculated?

Calculating general damages is not an exact science. Because they involve emotional and physical suffering, courts and insurance adjusters use several methods to arrive at a fair figure. These often include the multiplier method or the per diem method.

• Multiplier Method: The victim’s measurable economic damages (like medical bills) are multiplied by a factor — usually between 1.5 and 5 — depending on injury severity, recovery time, and long-term impact.
  
  
• Per Diem Method: A daily dollar amount is assigned to the victim’s pain and suffering and multiplied by the number of days of recovery or suffering.
  

Judges and juries may also consider testimony from medical experts, mental health professionals, and the victim’s own account of how the injury has affected their life.

Important points to remember:

• There’s no fixed formula for general damages.
  
  
• Evidence of pain, emotional distress, and life impact strengthens the claim.
  
  
• Attorneys use precedent and negotiation to support higher valuations.
  
  
• The more severe or permanent the injury, the greater the likely general damages award.
  

What’s the Difference Between General and Special Damages?

General damages cover intangible harms that can’t be precisely measured, while special damages cover specific financial losses with receipts or records. Both categories work together to ensure full compensation for the injured party.

For instance, a car accident victim may have:

• Special damages for medical bills, property damage, and lost wages.
  
  
• General damages for pain, trauma, and inability to enjoy daily life.
  
  

Understanding both types helps plaintiffs and attorneys build a more complete and persuasive claim.

Key differences summarized:

• General damages: Emotional, physical, and lifestyle losses without receipts.
  
  
• Special damages: Economic losses that can be quantified and proven.
  
  
• General = subjective; Special = objective.
  
  
• Both are recoverable in personal injury lawsuits and settlements.
  

Why Are General Damages Important in Personal Injury Cases?

General damages play a critical role in ensuring justice for injured plaintiffs. Without them, victims would only be compensated for out-of-pocket costs — not for the real human suffering they’ve endured. These damages recognize the personal impact of an injury, beyond dollars and cents.

Lawyers use general damages to:

• Advocate for fair compensation that reflects emotional and physical harm.
  
  
• Present compelling narratives to juries about how injuries affect clients’ lives.
  
  
• Guide settlement negotiations to ensure non-economic losses are valued.
  

Key takeaways:

• General damages ensure victims are fully compensated for their suffering.
  
  
• They can significantly increase total compensation amounts.
  
  
• They recognize the long-term personal consequences of injury.
  
  
• Understanding them empowers plaintiffs to advocate for fair outcomes.
  

Conclusion

General damages are at the heart of personal injury law — they acknowledge that justice isn’t just about replacing money lost, but about recognizing pain, trauma, and loss of quality of life. Whether you’ve suffered from a car crash, slip and fall, or medical malpractice, understanding how general damages work can help you pursue fair compensation.

Because every case is unique, it’s wise to consult an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate your claim, calculate appropriate damages, and fight for the full recovery you deserve.