What is the primary focus of non-economic damages?

The primary focus of non-economic damages is on the intangible harm experienced by the plaintiff as a result of the defendant's actions. These damages are awarded to compensate for subjective losses that do not have a specific monetary value but significantly affect a person's quality of life and emotional well-being. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship.

In contrast, physical injury or loss of income due to injury relates more closely to economic damages, which are quantifiable in terms of costs incurred or income lost. While measurable economic loss focuses on tangible financial impacts, non-economic damages address the more personal and emotional aspects of harm that are often critical in providing full justice to the injured party. Thus, by emphasizing the concepts of pain, suffering, and emotional turmoil, non-economic damages reflect the broader impact of the defendant's conduct beyond financial loss.