What type of damages are awarded in civil lawsuits to restore the plaintiff to their prior condition before the incident?

Compensatory damages are intended to restore the plaintiff to their prior condition, covering the actual loss suffered due to an incident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The primary goal of these damages is to make the injured party "whole" again, financially speaking, considering both tangible losses and intangible impacts of the injury.

In contrast, punitive damages are awarded not to compensate the plaintiff but to punish the defendant for particularly harmful actions and deter similar behavior in the future. Restitution damages aim to recoup benefits unjustly received by the defendant, rather than restoring the plaintiff. Nominal damages are minimal awards given when a legal wrong has occurred but does not result in significant loss, serving more to recognize a legal right than to compensate for actual harm. Thus, compensatory damages are specifically designed to address the need for restitution in the aftermath of an injury.