What is the term for monetary awards sought by plaintiffs in lawsuits?

The term for monetary awards sought by plaintiffs in lawsuits is referred to as damages. These are essentially a financial compensation awarded to a party who has suffered loss or injury due to the wrongful conduct of another party. Damages can cover a range of expenses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from the incident in question.

In contrast, settlements refer to agreements reached between parties to resolve a dispute without going to trial, and they often involve compensation but are not exclusively monetary awards designated for losses incurred. Punitive damages are a specific type of damages aimed at punishing the wrongdoer and deterring similar conduct in the future, rather than compensating the injured party. Injunctions are legal orders that require a party to do or refrain from doing specific acts, and they do not involve monetary compensation. Therefore, damages is the most accurate term for the monetary awards in lawsuits.