Which type of damages are typically considered in tort law claims related to emotional distress?

Compensatory damages for emotional harm are the correct focus in tort law claims related to emotional distress. In cases of emotional distress, the law recognizes the need to compensate individuals for the psychological impact of the wrongful acts committed against them. This can include feelings of anxiety, depression, humiliation, or other emotional injuries that have resulted from someone else's negligent or intentional conduct.

Compensatory damages are aimed at making the victim whole again by addressing the actual harm suffered, which in the case of emotional distress can be significant. Courts often assess the intensity and duration of emotional suffering and its impact on daily life when determining the appropriate level of compensatory damages.

While punitive damages are relevant in cases where the wrongdoer's conduct was particularly egregious or malicious, they are not specifically designed to compensate victims for their emotional distress. Instead, punitive damages serve as a form of punishment for the offender and a deterrent to similar behavior in the future.

Future earnings lost typically pertains to economic damages relating to lost wages or earning capacity due to physical injury or incapacity, rather than emotional distress. Similarly, strict liability damages generally relate to liability without fault in cases involving inherently dangerous activities or defective products, not emotional harm. Therefore, the focus in tort claims for emotional distress is