Are consequential damages the same as compensatory?

Asked by: Lincoln Gerhold  |  Last update: December 31, 2022
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Consequential damages (also known as special damages) are another form of compensatory damages. Special damages do not flow directly and immediately from the defendant's act, but from some of the consequences of the act.

What is another term for consequential damages?

Consequential damages, otherwise known as special damages, are damages that can be proven to have occurred because of the failure of one party to meet a contractual obligation, a breach of contract.

Are consequential damages the same as actual damages?

In general terms, direct damages immediately stem from the contractual breach, while consequential damages are still related to the breach but without a direct correlation. Consequential damages often entail a deeper knowledge of a contract and its terms.

What are the two types of compensatory damages?

There are two types of compensatory damages—general and actual. Actual damages are intended to provide funds to only replace what was lost. General compensatory damages awarded are more complex, as these compensatory damages do not represent a monetary expenditure.

What is the difference between consequential and special damages?

Also called special damages, since they result from a breach of contract and yet would not necessarily be incurred by every injured party experiencing that breach. Consequential damages are generally not recoverable in contract disputes, but are recoverable in tort. See General damages (contrast).

Contract Law Remedies for Breach: Damages (Compensatory, Incidental, Consequential)

27 related questions found

What is the difference between compensatory damages and consequential damages What are nominal damages and when do courts award nominal damages?

Compensatory damages compensate for the special loss suffered; consequential damages compensate for the foreseeable consequences of the breach; incidental damages compensate for the costs of keeping any more damages from occurring; nominal damages are awarded if the actual amount cannot be shown or there are no actual ...

What is an example of compensatory damages?

A compensatory damages example is if a negligent driver hit your 2008 Honda and totaled it; the compensatory damages should equal the market value of your 2008 Honda at the time of its demise, less any scrap or salvage value, and you could be entitled to the fair market value of the vehicle.

What is an example of consequential damages?

Commonly, consequential damages include property damage, personal injury, attorneys' fee, lost profits, loss of use, liability of buyer to customers, loss of goodwill, interest on money withheld by customers, and damages related to third party claims.

What are compensatory damages also known as?

Compensatory damages are also referred to as “actual damages.” It means the objective dollar amount needed to compensate (hence, the name) a plaintiff for the monetary value of what they either lost or incurred because of the injury. Typical compensatory damages in an injury claim include: Medical bills.

What are the 3 types of damages?

Types of Damages
  • COMPENSATORY. Compensatory damages are generally the most identifiable and concrete type of damages. ...
  • GENERAL. General damages are sought in conjunction with compensatory damages. ...
  • PUNITIVE. Punitive damages are meant to punish a Defendant for particularly egregious conduct.

Are consequential damages part of compensatory damages?

Consequential damages (also known as special damages) are another form of compensatory damages. Special damages do not flow directly and immediately from the defendant's act, but from some of the consequences of the act.

Are consequential damages the same as indirect damages?

Consequential damages are damages that proximately result from a breach of a contract. Consequential damages are also commonly referred to as “indirect damages” because they arise indirectly from a breach due to various events that flow from a breach.

Why are consequential damages excluded?

Exclusions of consequential damages are among the most common and important provisions in a wide variety of contracts. They can significantly reduce the breaching party's liability, sometimes by staggering amounts of money.

Can you claim for consequential loss?

It is recoverable only if the paying party knew or should have known of that circumstance when it made the contract, under the second limb of the rule in Hadley v Baxendale [1854] EWHC Exch J70. By definition, therefore, consequential losses are exceptional and often not recoverable.

What is difference between damages and compensation?

Damages are awarded for suffering injury while compensation stands on a higher footing. Compensation aims to place the injured party back in a position as if the injury has not taken place by way of pecuniary relief for the caused injury.

What are consequential damages in contract law?

Special damages (also called “consequential damages”) cover any loss incurred by the breach of contract because of special circumstances or conditions that are not ordinarily predictable. These are actual losses caused by the breach, but not in a direct and immediate way.

What are the four types of damages?

One of the most common remedies comes in the form of damages, or monetary awards, which are further broken down into four general categories.
  • Compensatory Damages. Compensatory damages (or “actual damages”) are specifically meant to make up for the plaintiff's losses. ...
  • Punitive Damages. ...
  • Liquidation Damages. ...
  • Nominal Damages.

When can consequential damages be awarded?

An Explanation of Consequential Damages

The failure resulted in a breach of contract. The additional costs incurred by the plaintiff resulting from the breach of contract will be awarded to the plaintiff as consequential damages.

What's the difference between compensatory and punitive damages?

Compensatory And Punitive Damages

The compensatory damages awarded to plaintiffs are designed to give justice to them after being wronged. Punitive damages are designed to prevent others from being hurt by the same or similar actions.

What is non compensatory damage?

Non-Compensatory Damages means any and all damages awarded by a court of competent jurisdiction that are penal in nature, including, without limitation, punitive, punitory, exemplary, vindictive, imaginary or presumptive damages.

Which the following is a measure of compensatory damages?

In most states, when a seller of real estate breaches a contract and sells the land to someone else, the measure of compensatory damages is: the difference between the market price and the contract price.

What are the 4 types of damages available for breach of contract?

Today, we're looking into four types of damages you may be able to receive in a breach of contract case.
  • Compensatory damages. ...
  • Punitive damages. ...
  • Nominal damages. ...
  • Liquidated damages.

Are nominal damages compensatory?

Unlike compensatory damages which are intended to compensate for injury, nominal damages are awarded to commemorate the plaintiff's vindication in court.

Are liquidated damages compensatory or punitive?

Liquidated damages are meant as a fair representation of losses in situations where actual damages are difficult to ascertain. In general, liquidated damages are designed to be fair, rather than punitive.

Are consequential damages enforceable?

Whether consequential damages clauses may be enforceable largely depends on the language of the contract. However, regardless of what the contract or the clause itself says, these clauses are generally considered to be unenforceable because parties do not write them with an acceptable amount of care.