What are the three main types of damages?

The three main types of damages in legal contexts are compensatory, punitive, and nominal damages. Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse the victim for actual losses, both economic and non-economic. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the wrongdoer for particularly egregious conduct and deter future wrongdoing. Nominal damages are a small sum awarded when a legal wrong has occurred, but the plaintiff did not suffer significant loss or injury.