What is the difference between consequential damages and compensatory damages?

Asked by: Elza Murphy  |  Last update: October 27, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (34 votes)

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 ...

Can you get compensatory and consequential damages?

Consequential damages are indirect damages that a claimant suffers as a result of a breach of contract. Although consequential damages are far less common than compensatory damages, courts will award them under the right circumstances.

What are examples 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 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).

What are the 3 types of compensatory damages?

The three types of damages are economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

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

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What are some examples of compensatory damages?

For example, if the plaintiff was badly frightened and suffered nightmares, increased blood pressure, or other anxiety related symptoms which prevented him from working or fully enjoying his life, he could seek damages for "emotional distress." If any of his property was damaged, compensatory damages could also include ...

What is meant by compensatory damage?

the amount of money that a court orders to be paid to someone in return for something that has been lost or damaged: The plaintiff is seeking $20 million in compensatory damages .

What is the difference between consequential and indirect damages?

Consequential damages are also referred to as special damages or indirect damages. Such indirect damages are damages that do not necessarily flow from the breach of contract but are secondary in nature or indirect to breach.

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.

How do you prove consequential damages?

Actual Consequential Damages

To recover consequential damages, the claimant must prove they were (1) proximately caused by the breach and (2) were reasonably foreseeable at the time the parties entered into the contract. Determining foreseeability is one challenge, yet the more difficult hurdle is proving the amount.

Why do we waive consequential damages?

Because the waiver of consequential damages can significantly control the amount of damages for which a contractor is assuming risk and greatly limit the owner's ability to recoup many damages, it is arguably the most important provision in a construction contract.

Do you really know what consequential damages means?

Still other deal professional and their counsel tend to make one of the following assumptions: (a) consequential damages are those damages that are not directly caused by the breach; i.e., they are the same as “indirect damages;” (b) consequential damages are the equivalent of lost profits; (c) consequential damages ...

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.

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.

What are the 5 types of damages?

There are six different types of damages: compensatory, incidental, consequential, nominal, liquidated, and (sometimes) punitive.

What is the 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 is 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.

Is consequential loss recoverable?

By definition, therefore, consequential losses are exceptional and often not recoverable. Direct loss is the natural result of the breach in the usual course of things. Most foreseeable kinds of loss are direct, including financial losses such as loss of profits and loss of business or goodwill.

Which is an example of a consequential or indirect loss?

Till the owner purchases a new set of machinery, the operations will remain halted. This loss due to the halting of daily business operations is an example of consequential loss as it is an indirect loss. It is not covered under the insurance for direct losses.

Are third party claims consequential damages?

However, a claim by a third party (and the defense of such claim) is likely to be classified as a consequential damage as to the indemnified party. As such, an indemnity can be overridden by a consequential damage disclaimer that does not properly carve out third party claims. First party negligence and misconduct.

What is the goal of compensatory damages?

Compensatory damages are intended to compensate the plaintiff of a lawsuit with enough money to cover the actual amount of the injury or loss. There are two basic types of compensatory damages, actual and general.

What is the aim of compensatory damages?

Compensatory damages, as the name indicates, are intended to compensate a claimant for losses suffered as a result of the other party's (wrongful) conduct.

Which of the following best describes the term compensatory damages?

Which of the following best describes Compensatory Damages? Compensatory Damages are intended to compensate or reimburse a plaintiff for actual losses.

Why is consequential damages important?

Consequential damages are mainly associated with (although not limited to it) with the pecuniary loss suffered by the party such as the delay in prospective profits if the breach would not have occurred or the expenses incurred by the injured party in order to rectify the injury or harm caused due to the breach of ...