Noneconomic damages in medical malpractice claims typically compensate which of the following?

• A. Medical costs
• B. Lost wages
• C. Pain and suffering
• D. Punitive damages

Answer: (C)

Noneconomic damages cover the intangible harms from injury—pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the impact on quality of life. They’re meant to compensate how the injury affects a person’s comfort and daily experience, not the financial costs incurred. In contrast, medical costs and lost wages are economic damages, reimbursing tangible financial losses. Punitive damages, while they may be awarded in egregious cases to punish conduct, are a separate category and not the noneconomic damages aimed at compensating pain and suffering.