Which term refers to the compensation awarded to a plaintiff to cover actual damages in a tort case?

The term that describes the compensation awarded to a plaintiff for actual damages in a tort case is compensatory damages. This type of award is intended to reimburse the injured party for losses suffered, whether they are economic losses like medical expenses and lost wages, or non-economic damages like pain and suffering. The primary goal of compensatory damages is to restore the plaintiff to the position they would have been in had the tort not occurred.

In contrast, punitive damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future rather than to compensate the victim for losses. Treble damages typically involve three times the amount of actual damages awarded and often apply in cases where specific statutory violations are proven. Liquidated damages are pre-determined amounts stipulated in a contract that are payable upon breach of that contract and are not related to tort cases.