Non-economic damages compensate for intangible harm such as pain, suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment.
They are part of compensatory damages when the law allows recovery for those harms.
Why non-economic damages matter
Not all harm is captured by bills or receipts. Injury, trauma, disability, and daily-life disruption may involve losses that are real but harder to measure.
The amount may be affected by evidence, credibility, severity, duration, statutory caps, and jury instructions.
Where non-economic damages appear
Non-economic damages appear in personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, civil rights, defamation, and emotional-distress claims.
Evidence may include testimony, medical records, expert opinions, photographs, and daily-life impact proof.
How it differs from nearby terms
Non-economic damages address intangible harm. Economic damages address measurable financial loss.
Pain and suffering is a common type of non-economic damage.
Practical example
After a serious injury, a plaintiff proves ongoing pain, sleep disruption, and inability to participate in normal activities. Those harms may support non-economic damages.
Related Terms
Quick check
Question: Are non-economic damages about intangible harms?
Answer: Yes. They compensate for harms that are not easily measured by invoices or receipts.