What does the term "actual damages" refer to in a legal context?

The term "actual damages" specifically refers to the monetary amount that compensates a plaintiff for the real, quantifiable losses incurred as a result of another party's actions. This can encompass various forms of damages that have a direct causal relationship with the harm suffered, such as medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs directly tied to the incident.

In contrast, other forms of damages mentioned in the options, such as emotional distress, punitive damages, or future economic losses, do not fall under the definition of actual damages. Emotional distress might refer to non-economic harm, punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct rather than compensate the victim for their losses, and future economic losses, while related, are not part of what is considered 'actual damages' from an immediate perspective. Actual damages focus strictly on the tangible losses that can be substantiated through evidence.