Payment for the loss of the ability to bear children would be classified as?

The ability to bear children is considered a personal and emotional loss, which falls under the category of general damages. General damages are awarded to compensate for non-monetary losses that result from an injury or wrong, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship. In this case, the inability to have children involves deep emotional and psychological impacts, rather than just financial implications or specific economic losses.

Special damages, on the other hand, refer to quantifiable financial losses, such as medical expenses or lost wages, while punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct. Consequential damages typically result from the indirect consequences of an event, such as lost profits in a business context.

By classifying the loss of the ability to bear children as general damages, it acknowledges the profound emotional and personal nature of that loss.