damages

damages definition - legal

n

pl

Financial compensation demanded by, or directed by a court to be paid to, a claimant as compensation for a financial loss or injury to person or property.
actual
or compensatory damages. Damages intended to compensate for a quantifiable loss.
consequential damages
Damages resulting indirectly from the act complained of.
incidental damages
Under the Uniform Commercial Code, expenses reasonably incurred by either party to a transaction in caring for goods after the other partyÂ’s breach of the contract.
liquidated damages
A contractually agreed upon amount to be paid in the event of a breach of the contract, in lieu of performance or quantification of actual damages sustained. 
nominal damages
A small or insignificant amount of money awarded by a court or jury to demonstrate that a defendant is at fault, but that the injury sustained was minor or non-existent. 
punitive damages
Damages awarded by a court or jury, typically in addition to actual damages, when the party against whom the award is made is deemed to have behaved egregiously; for example, with particular recklessness or malice.
speculative damages
Damages claimed for possible future harm. These are considered uncertain or impossible to prove and generally are not awarded. 
treble damages
A tripling of the actual damages, generally awarded pursuant to a law or statute; intended to deter bad conduct.  

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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