Georgia Property & Casualty Practice Exam

What type of damages are incurred from emergency room charges and lost earnings resulting from an injury in a store?

1. general damages

2. punitive damages

3. special damages

4. speculative damages

The correct answer is: special damages

The correct choice signifies special damages, which specifically refer to quantifiable financial losses that a person incurs as a direct result of an injury. In this scenario, emergency room charges and lost earnings can be clearly calculated and documented, making them special damages. Emergency room charges are medical costs that can be presented with bills and receipts, effectively showing the amount paid for necessary medical treatment. Lost earnings also represent a tangible loss that can be substantiated with pay stubs or tax documents, providing a concrete dollar amount that reflects the income lost due to the injury. Special damages are vital in personal injury claims because they allow the injured party to recover specific amounts for their out-of-pocket expenses and lost income. This type of compensation is distinct from general damages, which typically cover non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life, and cannot be easily quantified. Punitive damages serve a different purpose by punishing the wrongdoer and deterring future misconduct, and speculative damages refer to uncertain or conjectural losses that lack a clear basis. Hence, the financial aspects of this injury strongly align with the definition of special damages.