In a malpractice case, what are damages?

• A. Only emotional distress
• B. Only medical expenses
• C. Actual harm, including physical, emotional, or financial impact
• D. None; damages are not required

Answer: (C)

Damages are the compensation awarded for the actual harm caused by medical negligence. They reflect the true impact of the harm, not just one facet of it. This includes physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial losses such as medical bills, out-of-pocket costs, and lost income, as well as future costs if the injury has lasting effects. The goal is to make the injured patient whole by offsetting the harms suffered, and there must be a causal connection between the negligence and the harm. While emotional distress or medical expenses can be part of damages, they are not the only components, and you don’t recover damages without proving harm. In some cases, more severe misconduct can lead to punitive damages, but the core idea is compensation for actual harm.