Damages measure in financial terms the extent of harm a plaintiff has suffered because of a defendant’s actions.The purpose is to restore an injured party to the position the party was in before being harmed, so they are considered remedial instead of punitive. In order to recover damages, the injury suffered must be one recognized by law as warranting redress, and must have actually been sustained by the individual. Damages are not the same as the expenses incurred as a result of bringing a lawsuit and which the court may require the losing party to pay.

Here on LawServer you’ll find relevant state laws about damages.