Quick Scoop

Special damages are the specific, measurable financial losses someone can prove with records, receipts, or bills after an accident, injury, or breach. They are different from general damages , which cover less tangible harm like pain and suffering.

What they usually include

  • Medical bills and treatment costs.
  • Lost wages or lost income.
  • Repair or replacement costs for damaged property.
  • Transportation, rental car, or other out-of-pocket expenses tied to the incident.

Simple example

If a car crash leaves you with a $4,000 hospital bill, $1,200 in lost pay, and $800 in car repairs, those amounts are special damages because they can be calculated exactly.

In plain English

Think of special damages as the “math” part of compensation: if you can document the loss, you may be able to claim it. General damages are the harder-to-measure losses, like physical pain or reduced quality of life.

If you want, I can also explain special damages vs. general damages in a quick side-by-side table.