"General damages" compensate an injured person for physical pain, mental and emotional suffering, and loss of the ability to engage in activities or enjoy life.

Money cannot provide true restitution for what is lost through injury, but courts attempt to provide solace to an injured person through general damages awards.

Once the extent of a person's injuries are determined, the next step is to quantify the amount of compensation that person in entitled to. Compensation for minor injuries are determined under the Minor Injury Regulation. More serious injuries are valued with the use of case law.

Lawyers research case law, or prior decisions from the courts, to determine the relevant compensation range with regard to the injured person's age, emotional suffering, employability, impairment of personal relationships, loss of lifestyle, and severity of injuries.