What is typically included in compensation for general damages?

Compensation for general damages primarily relates to non-economic losses that a claimant experiences due to an injury or wrongdoing. This encompasses pain and suffering, which refers to the physical discomfort and emotional distress that an injured party endures. General damages are not quantifiable in terms of financial loss like lost wages or property damage but instead address the broader impacts of the injury on the victim's quality of life.

In the context of the options provided, the other choices represent different types of damages. Lost wages and future earning potential fall under special damages, as they are economic losses directly related to the inability to work due to the injury. Property damage costs are also considered special damages, as they cover specific financial losses related to tangible items. Travel expenses for legal hearings, likewise, represent a financial loss incurred as a result of pursuing a legal matter, which does not qualify as general damages either.

Thus, the most appropriate item encapsulating what is included in compensation for general damages is pain and suffering experienced, as it directly addresses the non-economic impact of an injury.