What is Damages?
Monetary compensation awarded to a person injured through the wrongful conduct of another party. Damages are intended to restore the injured party to the position they were in before the injury occurred.
Understanding Damages
There are several types of damages: compensatory (economic and non-economic), punitive, and nominal. Economic damages cover quantifiable losses like medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Examples
- 1Medical expenses and future treatment costs
- 2Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- 3Pain and suffering compensation
Related Terms
Punitive Damages
Additional damages awarded beyond compensatory damages to punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct and deter similar behavior in the future.
Personal Injury
A legal term for an injury to the body, mind, or emotions, as opposed to damage to property. Personal injury claims are typically brought in civil court to recover compensation for harm caused by another party's negligence or intentional misconduct.
Negligence
The failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances, resulting in harm to another person or their property.
Liability
Legal responsibility for one's actions or omissions. When a person or entity is found liable, they are legally obligated to compensate the injured party for their losses.
Tort
A civil wrong that causes harm to another person, for which the law provides a remedy. Torts can be intentional, negligent, or based on strict liability.
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