What aspect of damages addresses both physical pain and lack of future earnings?

Compensatory damages are designed to reimburse a plaintiff for loss or injury, which encompasses both tangible and intangible losses. In the context of personal injury or medical malpractice, compensatory damages can address physical pain and suffering, as well as loss of future earnings due to an inability to work as a result of the injury.

Physical pain refers to the discomfort and suffering experienced by the injured party, while loss of future earnings accounts for the economic impact when an individual's capacity to earn income is diminished or eliminated by their injuries. Compensatory damages aim to restore the plaintiff to the financial position they would have been in had the injury not occurred, covering both present and future losses related to their personal well-being and economic productivity.

Other types of damages, such as nominal damages, are minimal amounts awarded to recognize a legal wrong without substantial loss, and punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer rather than compensate the victim. Legal costs involve expenses related to litigation and do not directly compensate for physical or financial injuries suffered by the individual. Therefore, compensatory damages are the most fitting answer, as they encompass both the psychological and economic impacts of an injury.