What is the award of damages for breach of contract?

Asked by: Jan Ondricka  |  Last update: February 12, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (57 votes)

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.

How much compensation can you get for a 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.

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 are damages 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.

When there is a breach of contract, special damages are awarded.?

In contract law , special damages (also called consequential damages) refer to irregular damages such as physical injuries during a breach of contract , but general damages would refer to the damages expected from the contract being breached.

What kinds of damages can be awarded in a breach of contract lawsuit?

25 related questions found

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

Four Types of Damages Available in a Breach of Contract
  • Compensatory damages. Compensatory damages aim to restore the party who did NOT breach the contract back to the position they would have been in if the other party had held up their end of the deal as promised.
  • Punitive damages. ...
  • Nominal damages. ...
  • Liquidated damages.

Can you get compensation for breach of contract?

Material breach of contract

Following a material breach, the innocent party may seek legal help to resolve the issue. Legal remedies may include suing for damages and, in some cases, terminating the contract. Open discussions and mediation can help both parties to resolve the situation before it escalates.

How much is a breach of contract lawsuit worth?

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 to calculate compensatory damages?

Every case is unique, and the amount of damages you may be eligible for will depend on the facts and circumstances of your case. Compensatory damages are calculated by summing up all actual and estimated expenses related to the harm suffered.

What damages can be recovered for breach of contract?

Are you wondering about seeking damages for breach of contract? There are five important types of damages that might be available, depending on your situation: compensatory damages, specific performance, an injunction, liquidated damages, or rescission.

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.

What is the award of damages?

to order that a particular amount of money is paid to someone because they have been caused some injury or loss: The court awarded her $100,000 in damages. Jack was cleared of all charges and awarded a million dollars in damages.

Do you have to prove damages for breach of contract?

After that, the plaintiff must show that the defendant did not fulfill their obligations. And finally there must be evidence of actual damages that the plaintiff suffered as a result.

How are damages calculated in breach of contract?

These damages are designed to compensate the non-breaching party for the financial losses they incurred due to the breach. The calculation typically involves determining the difference between the value of what was promised in the contract and what was actually received.

Can you get money for a breach of contract?

If you successfully take someone to court for breach of contract, the most common remedy is compensatory damages. Usually, a court will order the person who breached the contract to pay you enough money that you can go elsewhere to get the services they failed to provide.

What is reasonably foreseeable damages?

What is Reasonable Foreseeability in Damages Law? Reasonable foreseeability is a set of common law principles which operate to limit compensation recoverable by an innocent party for breach of contract and for tortious loss.

How much can you get for compensatory damages?

Typically, the state of California does not place caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. A judge or jury can award any amount they believe is fair and reasonable for accidents. Put simply, there are no limits to the compensatory damages a plaintiff can seek in a California personal injury case.

How to calculate compensatory award?

The Claimant should work out the net value of pay and benefits per week when employed. That figure should be multiplied by the number of weeks between dismissal and the Tribunal. The 'actual loss' figure is calculated by taking away any payment paid on termination from the resulting figure.

What type of damages are most likely to be awarded?

Compensatory damages are generally the most identifiable and concrete type of damages resulting from the Defendant's misconduct. An attorney, through documents obtained during litigation, is usually able to seek a definitive amount of compensatory damages based on the injuries to a Plaintiff's person and property.

What compensation can you get 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.

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.

How much do lawyers get in a class action lawsuit?

The courts often determine how much lawyers will get in fees from a successful class action lawsuit. This figure is usually around 25% to 35% of the total settlement amount awarded to the class of plaintiffs. However, the fees can be higher if the case is unusually complex.

What is the award for breach of contract?

Generally, the purpose of an award of damages for breach of contract is to compensate the injured party. The general rule is that damages are meant to place the claimant in the same position as if the contract had been performed.

Can you get punitive damages for breach of contract?

App. Div. 1998) ("While punitive damages are usually not awarded in litigation involving breach of a commercial contract, they may be awarded where there is a breach of trust between the parties beyond the contractual breach.

How to prove a breach of contract?

If you intend to make a claim for damages for breach of contract, you need to be able to prove that:
  1. There was a valid and binding contract in place.
  2. The other party breached the contract.
  3. You suffered a loss as a result of the breach.