Mental anguish would be classified under which type of damages?

Mental anguish is classified as general damages because it refers to the emotional suffering and distress that a person experiences due to an event, such as an accident or a breach of contract. General damages encompass non-economic losses that are not easily quantifiable, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

These damages are intended to compensate the injured party for the subjective experience of pain and suffering rather than for any specific financial loss. On the other hand, tangible damages, also known as special damages, relate to quantifiable economic losses such as medical bills or lost wages. Punitive damages serve to punish the wrongdoer for particularly egregious behavior and deter similar actions in the future, rather than to compensate the victim directly for their suffering. Therefore, classifying mental anguish under general damages is appropriate as it accurately reflects the nature of the harm dealt with.