How much is a breach of contract case worth?

Asked by: Wilhelmine Padberg Jr.  |  Last update: October 18, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (17 votes)

Breach of contract damages generally cannot exceed four times the actual losses, but everything depends on the facts of your specific case. Your lawyer can identify whether you can recover these damages in your case.

How much can I sue for breach of contract?

In a breach of contract case, damages typically cannot exceed four times the actual losses. However, the exact amount depends on the specifics of your case. Consult with a lawyer to determine the potential damages you may recover.

What is the compensation for breach of contract?

Compensatory damages compensate the non-breaching party for the actual financial losses suffered as a direct result of the breach of contract. The goal is to place the non-breaching party in the same position they would have been in if the contract had been fulfilled.

How to calculate damages for breach of contract?

general expectation damages = the value of performance without the breach (what was promised) minus the value of performance with the breach (what was received)

What is a reasonable breach of contract?

This failure can take various forms, such as failing to deliver goods or services as promised, not completing work within the agreed timeframe, delivering defective or substandard goods, or not paying for goods or services rendered. For a breach of contract to occur, a contract must have existed in the first place.

The Most Important Element when Suing for a Breach of Contract

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How much does a breach of contract cost?

The breach of contract cost comprises compensatory damages that a party pays to another for failing to abide by certain terms and conditions. A court orders a particular person who breached the contract to pay the other party enough money to go elsewhere to get the services.

Is breach of contract hard to prove?

The short answer is yes. Breaches of oral contracts are harder to prove, but the contracts are absolutely enforceable. Breach of oral contract elements are the same as for written contracts. The hardest part of proving a breach of contract for an oral agreement is proving that the contract existed and was valid.

How to win a breach of contract case?

You may be sure you have an air-tight case, and you may be right, but a winning breach of contract lawsuit has four factors.
  1. Factor #1: A Well Written Contract. ...
  2. Factor #2: A Clear and Obvious Breach. ...
  3. Factor #3: Substantial and Identifiable Damages. ...
  4. Factor #4: A Defendant with Deep Pockets.

How to calculate actual damages?

When calculating actual damages, courts will often look at the fair market value of destroyed/damaged property, lost wages/income, and necessarily incurred expenses.

What is the penalty for breach of contract?

As a result, the default remedy available for a breach of contract is monetary damages . Generally, these damages are limited to what is listed in the contract and, unlike damages from tort cases, courts do not award punitive damages for breaches of contract.

What is the award of damages for breach of contract?

An award of compensatory damages is the most common of the legal remedies for breach of contract. The calculation of compensatory damages is based on the actual losses you have sustained as a result of the breach of contract. They typically fall into two categories: expectation damages and consequential damages.

What are monetary damages for breach of contract?

Compensatory Damages

General damages compensate you for direct losses you suffered due to a breach. For example, if your supplier failed to deliver goods on time, you might have needed to purchase replacement goods. These goods may have been more expensive because you had to buy them at the last minute.

What is the most common type of damages awarded by a court?

Usually, compensatory damages are awarded in civil court cases in order to compensate for damages, injury, or another incurred loss. As we'll explore further in the article, they are different from punitive and treble damages. Compensatory damages can be classified into two types: actual and general.

Is it worth going to small claims court for $500?

Conclusion: Going to small claims court may be worth it for $500, but it will determine how you weigh your costs versus benefits. At a minimum, it is worth it to send a demand letter.

How to prove you were not served properly?

Surveillance: You can provide surveillance footage showing you were not served at the alleged date or that the service was improper. Mail Records: If there's no mail delivered to you or if you haven't signed the receipt. It can indicate improper service.

How do I sue for breach of contract without a lawyer?

Small claims court: For cases below a statutory amount that is usually less than $10,000, parties may go to court themselves and avoid hiring a contract lawyer. For small business owners, avoiding costly business litigation can be as important as winning breach of contract lawsuits.

How much money can you get from a breach of contract?

Breach of contract damages generally cannot exceed four times the actual losses, but everything depends on the facts of your specific case. Your lawyer can identify whether you can recover these damages in your case.

How do you calculate the settlement value of a case?

To determine a potential settlement value, they first combine the total of medical expenses to date, projected future medical expenses, lost wages to date and projected future lost income. The resulting sum is then multiplied by the pain and suffering multiplier value to produce a projected settlement amount.

How to calculate damages in a breach of contract case?

Expectation damages can be calculated by comparing:
  1. the financial position that the claimant would have been in absent any breach (i.e., if the respondent had performed the contract) (the 'but-for position'); and.
  2. the financial position the claimant is actually in given the effects of the breach (the 'actual position').

Is it worth suing for breach of contract?

The Value of the Contract: Consider whether the breach resulted in substantial financial or other losses. If the damages are minimal, the costs of litigation may outweigh the potential recovery. For example, suing over a minor inconvenience or slight delay may not be worth the effort.

How long does a breach of contract lawsuit take?

Typically, it can take months or even years for a case to work its way through the court system. The breach of contract claim must be filed with the court and supported with appropriate legal documentation. The defendant must be notified of the lawsuit and given time to answer.

How serious is breach of contract?

The Legal Consequences of Breaching a Contract

Depending on the severity of the breach, you could be looking at anything from a small fine to jail time. If you're found guilty of breaching a contract, the court will order you to pay damages to the other party.

How often do sellers sue for breach of contract?

That's when a court requires you to fulfill your end of the contract, and buy the home anyway. However, Wallace explains, getting sued by a seller is an unlikely scenario. “Some sellers may threaten the other party with a lawsuit,” she says, “but in our market, 99% of the time, the seller does not sue the buyer.

What are the consequences of breach of contract?

The party who suffers the breach is entitled to receive from the other. Compensation for any loss or damage caused to him. Which naturally arose in the usual course of things from such breach. or which the parties knew, when they made the contract, to be likely to result from the breach of it.

Can I sue for breach of contract in small claims court?

Breach of contract lawsuits are generally handled by your county civil court. In some cases involving parties from different states, you may be able to sue in federal court if the dispute is over a particular amount. If you are not out much money, you may be able to handle the case on your own in small claims court.