Which type of damages are awarded when the courts feel the individual acted in a grossly negligent manner, causing the injured party's damages?

Compensatory damages are designed to reimburse the injured party for actual losses incurred, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. While these damages address the financial implications of the injury, they do not serve to punish the wrongdoer or deter future misconduct, which is the purpose of punitive damages.

General damages refer to compensation for non-economic losses, such as emotional distress or loss of companionship, that are not easily quantifiable. While they can be awarded in negligence cases, they do not encompass the punitive aspect aimed at addressing gross negligence, which is reserved for punitive damages.

Special damages are quantifiable losses that can be documented, such as medical bills or lost earnings. Similar to compensatory damages, they focus on the actual losses suffered by the plaintiff rather than serving as a punishment for the defendant's conduct, which is the key function of punitive damages.