Which of the following is NOT a type of compensatory damages?

Prepare for the Law and Ethics: Professional Liability and Medical Malpractice Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Ace your test!

Compensatory damages are designed to compensate a plaintiff for actual losses suffered due to another party's actions or negligence. They can be divided into different categories, primarily general and special compensatory damages. General compensatory damages cover non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, while special compensatory damages cover quantifiable losses like medical expenses and lost wages.

Punitive damages, however, serve a different purpose. They are awarded not to compensate the plaintiff for losses but rather to punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct and to deter similar behavior in the future. This is why punitive damages are not classified as compensatory damages.

Consequential damages, while sometimes considered in discussions of damages, typically refer to losses that occur as a direct result of a breach of contract or negligence and illustrate further complexities in damages analysis. However, they still fall under the broader category of compensatory damages, depending on the context.

Therefore, identifying punitive damages as not being a type of compensatory damages is accurate, as they function to penalize and deter rather than to make victims whole.

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