What type of damages can a plaintiff collect if they successfully prove a negligence case?

In a negligence case, a plaintiff may collect both compensatory and punitive damages if they successfully prove their claim.

Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse the plaintiff for actual losses incurred due to the defendant's negligent actions. This can cover medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. The primary goal of compensatory damages is to make the injured party whole again, as much as possible, by providing financial restitution for specific harms suffered.

Punitive damages, on the other hand, may be awarded in addition to compensatory damages, but are not as common. They are meant to punish the defendant for particularly egregious or reckless behavior and to deter similar misconduct in the future. The plaintiff must show that the defendant acted with a high degree of wrongdoing, such as gross negligence or intentional misconduct, to qualify for punitive damages.

Thus, if a plaintiff successfully proves their negligence case and can establish the necessary grounds for punitive damages, they are entitled to collect both types of damages, making the answer correct.