In a civil lawsuit, general damages can be given to a plaintiff as part of a compensatory damages award. These damages intend to provide compensation generally, to cover all those losses which are not easily described. Specifically, general damages are provided for losses that cannot be quantified easily, as opposed to special damages, which cover those losses that can be quantified. Where applicable, general damages can be used to cover a number of non-monetary losses — pain and suffering, loss of consortium, change of lifestyle, and impairment, among others. Although it is very difficult to associate monetary amounts with these types of losses, in cases where they are necessary, it is the court's responsibility to do so.