Which type of damage award is intended to compensate for actual losses suffered?

The type of damage award intended to compensate for actual losses suffered is known as actual damages. This category of damages is designed to reimburse the injured party for the specific monetary losses they have incurred as a direct result of another party's actions or negligence. Actual damages can include expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, and repair or replacement costs for damaged property.

This form of compensation is grounded in the principle of making the injured party "whole," effectively returning them to their original position before the loss occurred. Other types of damages, such as nominal damages, are more symbolic and awarded when a legal wrong has occurred without substantial loss, while punitive damages serve to punish wrongdoing and deter future misconduct rather than to compensate for direct losses. Consequential damages, on the other hand, cover indirect or secondary losses that result from the initial harm, but do not address the actual direct losses experienced by the plaintiff. Therefore, actual damages are the most straightforward and relevant type of compensation when discussing recompense for real, quantifiable losses.