What are special damages typically awarded for?

Special damages, also known as pecuniary damages, are specifically awarded for tangible losses that a plaintiff can prove through documentation. These damages are quantifiable and often include costs that can be calculated based on direct financial impacts such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket costs directly resulting from an injury or loss.

By requiring documentation, such as receipts and invoices, the legal system ensures that the awarded amount reflects the actual financial burden incurred by the claimant. This contrasts with other types of damages, such as general damages, which address non-economic losses like pain and suffering or emotional distress and do not rely on specific monetary proof.

Therefore, the correct answer highlights the nature of special damages as being focused on tangible, documented losses, distinguishing them from non-economic or punitive damages.