What type of damages compensates for specific, identifiable expenses like medical costs?

The correct answer is special damages, as these types of damages are designed to compensate for specific, quantifiable losses that can be directly tied to an injury or damage. This includes identifiable expenses such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and property damage. The key characteristic of special damages is that they can be calculated with precise figures, making them distinct in their ability to provide financial reimbursement for the tangible costs incurred due to an incident.

In contrast, general damages refer to compensation for non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress, which do not have a specific monetary amount associated with them. Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future, rather than compensate the victim for their actual losses. Nominal damages represent a small amount awarded when a legal wrong has occurred, but no substantial injury or loss is proven. Each of these alternatives addresses different aspects of compensation and does not focus on the specific, identifiable expenses that special damages cover.