Here is a brief explanation of each. Thus, compensatory damages can cover a variety of losses, including medical expenses, wages lost due to missed work and even increased living costs due to the injury. Along with medical expenses and lost wages, accident victims often have physical pain from the injury and from the medical treatment. Compensatory damages may be sought for pain and suffering, and these are usually computed separately from other kinds of compensatory damages. For example, suppose someone trespasses on your property, but does not damage it.
Punitive damages punish the wrongdoer and deter others from doing the same thing.
They are awarded when the wrongdoer's conduct was intentional or grossly negligent. The amount of punitive damages can exceed compensatory damages. Some states do not allow punitive damages. For people injured by someone else's wrongful conduct, estimating how much money may be received is a key factor in deciding whether to make a claim. Many factors go into figuring damages, so legal help should be obtained in performing this estimate.