General damages are paid as compensation for the non-monetary aspects you have suffered as part of your claim. This is usually termed 'pain, suffering and loss of amenity'. Examples of this include:

• physical or emotional pain and suffering
• loss of consortium
• loss of companionship
• loss of consortium
• loss or impairment of mental or physical capacity
• disfigurement
• loss of reputation
• loss of enjoyment of life
• loss of future earnings

This aspect is not easily quantifiable, and depends on the individual circumstances of the plaintiff.

General damages are generally awarded only in claims brought by individuals, when they have suffered personal harm.