Which type of damages is awarded to cover direct losses in a civil case?

Compensatory damages are specifically designed to cover direct losses that a plaintiff has incurred due to the wrongful actions of another party. These damages aim to restore the injured party to the position they would have been in had the harm not occurred. This includes not only tangible losses such as medical expenses or property damage but also intangible losses like pain and suffering.

In contrast, punitive damages serve a different purpose. They are awarded to punish the wrongdoer for particularly egregious conduct and to deter others from similar actions, rather than to compensate for direct losses. Nominal damages are a small sum awarded when a legal wrong has occurred without a significant loss, emphasizing the acknowledgment of rights rather than compensating for losses. Statutory damages, on the other hand, are predetermined sums set by legislation for specific violations, providing a remedy regardless of actual harm suffered.

Thus, compensatory damages directly correlate with the losses suffered, making them the appropriate choice for addressing direct harm in a civil case.