What type of damages reimburse a plaintiff for actual losses in a civil case?

Compensatory damages are specifically designed to reimburse a plaintiff for actual losses incurred due to the defendant's actions. These damages can cover a variety of losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. The goal of compensatory damages is to make the injured party "whole" again by providing financial support equivalent to the value of the losses experienced.

In contrast, punitive damages serve to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future, which is unrelated to the actual losses of the plaintiff. Consequential damages are awarded for secondary losses that occur as a result of the primary loss but are not direct losses. Nominal damages represent a small sum awarded when a legal wrong has occurred but does not result in significant actual damages. Thus, compensatory damages are the most appropriate form to address the actual losses suffered by the plaintiff in a civil case.