The Difference Between Special Damages and General Damages Explained
David J. Muñoz | July 21, 2026 | Personal Injury
You may be entitled to recover compensation after being injured due to someone else’s negligence. In California personal injury cases, there are two main types of damages: special damages and general damages. Understanding the difference between these types of damages can help you better understand the compensation that may be available after an accident.
What Are Special Damages in California?
Special damages, also known as economic damages, compensate you for financial losses after an accident. They are intended to reimburse you for losses resulting from an accident and injury. Examples of special damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
These damages are measurable with bills, receipts, pay stubs, invoices, or other documentation. This shows the importance of keeping records of your expenses and lost income. A personal injury lawyer can help gather the evidence needed to calculate and support these damages as part of your claim.
What Are General Damages in California?
General damages, also known as non-economic damages, compensate you for losses that do not have a specific dollar value. Instead of reimbursing you for financial losses, they compensate you for the physical, emotional, and personal effects of an accident and injury.
Examples of general damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Physical disfigurement or scarring
These damages are more difficult to calculate because they are not reflected in bills or receipts. Even so, they can make up a significant portion of a personal injury claim, particularly when an accident results in serious or permanent injuries.
Evidence such as medical records, testimony from you and your loved ones, and expert opinions may all help demonstrate the extent of these losses.
How Are General Damages Calculated?
Unlike medical bills, there is no fixed formula for calculating general damages. Insurance companies, lawyers, and juries consider many factors when evaluating these damages.
Factors that may affect general damages include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether your injuries are permanent
- The length of your recovery
- Your physical pain
- Your emotional suffering
- How the injuries affect your daily life
Every case is different, and the value of general damages varies. Medical records, personal testimony, and other evidence showing how your injuries have affected your life may all be used to support your claim.
Are Special or General Damages Capped in California?
There is typically no cap on special damages or general damages in California personal injury cases. This means if you can prove your losses, you may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses, as well as pain and suffering and non-economic damages.
However, some types of claims, such as medical malpractice claims, are subject to statutory limits on non-economic damages. A medical malpractice lawyer can advise on how those limits may apply to your case if they apply.
How Can a San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me Recover Damages?
Recovering fair compensation often requires more than simply submitting medical bills to an insurance company. You must also document the full financial and personal impact of your injuries.
A San Diego personal injury lawyer may:
- Gather medical records and other evidence
- Calculate your economic losses
- Document your non-economic damages
- Work with medical or financial experts when appropriate
- Negotiate with the insurance company
- File a lawsuit if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Special damages and general damages both play an important role in the value of a personal injury claim. A lawyer can evaluate your losses, explain the types of damages that may be available, and pursue the full compensation you may be entitled to recover.
Contact Mission Personal Injury Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With a San Diego Personal Injury Attorney
After an accident in San Diego, CA, your losses may include more than medical bills and lost income. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be entitled to compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and other ways your injuries have affected your life.
If you were injured in an accident and believe another party may be responsible, Mission Personal Injury Lawyers can review your case and explain your legal options. Contact our San Diego personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
We proudly serve San Diego County and throughout California.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – San Diego Office
3666 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 777-5555
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – Chula Vista Office
690 Otay Lakes Rd #130, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 722-3032
We also serve the state of Texas. For legal assistance, contact our personal injury law office in El Paso today.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – El Paso Office
201 E Main Suite 106, El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 591-1000
