When an insured party is found negligent, which of the following is considered compensatory special damages?

Compensatory special damages are specific out-of-pocket expenses that arise directly from an injury. They are distinct from general damages, which typically cover more subjective losses, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress.

In this context, lost wages represent a quantifiable financial loss directly tied to the injury and the individual's inability to work. This makes lost wages a clear example of compensatory special damages because it is an explicit economic impact on the insured party resulting from the negligence. These expenses can be documented with pay stubs, tax returns, or statements from employers, making them objective and easily measurable.

Pain and suffering and emotional distress represent more subjective experiences associated with an injury and are classified as general damages. Medical bills, while they are expenses related to the injury and thus often considered in compensation discussions, do not specifically pertain to the loss of income due to negligence. They are related but do not fall under the same category as lost wages, which is the crux of compensatory special damages, focusing on the direct financial implications of an injury.