When a man strikes another and the victim recovers — "if he arise and walk outside upon his staff" — the Torah says "the striker shall be absolved" (Exodus 21:19). Absolved of what? The Mekhilta specifies: from the death penalty. If the victim had died, the striker would face execution. Since the victim recovered, that threat is lifted.
But the Mekhilta immediately raises a concern. Does "absolved" mean absolved of everything — including the obligation to pay for lost wages (sheveth) and medical expenses (ripui)? One might read "absolved" as a comprehensive discharge of all obligations.
The Torah prevents this misreading by continuing: "but his sheveth shall he give, and heal shall he heal." Even though the striker is absolved of the death penalty, he is not absolved of financial responsibility. He must still pay for the victim's inability to work during recovery and cover all medical costs.
Additionally, the Mekhilta notes that these payments are above and beyond any compensation for the injury itself — the nezek, or permanent damage to the victim's body. The striker owes for three things: the permanent injury, the lost work time, and the medical bills. Being absolved of the death penalty does not reduce these financial obligations by a single coin. The Torah's system of justice distinguishes sharply between criminal liability and civil liability. One can be dropped while the other remains fully in force.