Special or specific damages are characterized by what type of loss?

Special or specific damages are indeed characterized by measurable dollar amounts. This type of damage typically refers to quantifiable financial losses that can be specifically calculated and attributed to an injury or incident. These might include medical expenses, lost wages, repair costs, and other tangible economic impacts resulting from a wrongful act.

In contrast, intangible losses such as emotional distress fall into a different category known as general damages, which cannot be directly measured in terms of a monetary amount. Similarly, punitive damages are awarded not to compensate the victim for loss, but rather to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from similar actions, which sets them apart from special damages. Thus, the correct identification of special or specific damages as having measurable dollar amounts is crucial in understanding how legal claims for damages are processed.