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What is the primary purpose of special damages?

  1. To cover emotional distress

  2. To cover actual losses sustained

  3. To punish the party at fault

  4. To replace future earnings

The correct answer is: To cover actual losses sustained

The primary purpose of special damages is to cover actual losses sustained by an individual as a result of an incident. Special damages are quantifiable, often related to specific financial losses that can be documented. This may include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs that can be precisely calculated. The goal is to make the injured party whole again by reimbursing them for measurable losses incurred. Other options refer to different aspects of damages. For instance, compensation for emotional distress generally falls under general damages, which address non-economic losses but are not strictly quantifiable. Punitive damages, designed to punish and deter wrongdoing, are distinct from compensatory damages such as special damages. Finally, replacing future earnings might also relate to a different type of compensation, often categorized under future economic losses rather than immediate special damages. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why the primary aim of special damages is to reimburse actual, quantifiable losses.