What is the legal term for compensatory damages?

Asked by: Ms. Sarina Bahringer  |  Last update: December 29, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (42 votes)

Compensatory damages represent the money awarded to a plaintiff in a lawsuit. This type of compensation is awarded in civil court cases. There are two types of compensatory damages—general and actual. Actual damages are intended to provide funds to only replace what was lost.

What are compensatory damages also called?

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 2 types of compensatory damages?

What many may not realize, however, is that there are two types of compensatory damages: actual damages (sometimes called “special damages”) and general damages. Knowing the differences between the two is essential in understanding how courts compensate plaintiffs for the injuries they've suffered.

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 three 3 types of damages award in a tort case?

There are 3 types of damages: economic, non-economic, and exemplary.

Legal Term: Damages

25 related questions found

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.

What is the difference between punitive and compensatory 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 the legal term for compensation?

Compensation is payment or remuneration for work or services performed or for harm suffered (see also damages).

What three 3 Things Must a court consider in reviewing punitive damages?

To ensure that unconstitutional punishment is not imposed in the form of punitive damages, the Court has set forth three "guideposts" for courts to consider in reviewing punitive damages awards: "(1) the degree of reprehensibility of the defendant's misconduct; (2) the disparity between the actual or potential harm ...

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 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 the difference between compensatory and consequential 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 a compensatory damage?

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 are the 3 remedies at law?

There are three types of equitable remedies: specific performance, injunction, and restitution.

What is punitive damages in a lawsuit?

Punitive damages are considered punishment and are typically awarded at the court's discretion when the defendant's behavior is found to be especially harmful. Punitive damages are normally not awarded in the context of a breach of contract claim.

What kind of damages are awarded under tort?

There are four kinds of damages; contemptuous; nominal; sustainable; and exemplary. Contemptuous damages are awarded when it is considered that an action should never have been brought.

What is another name for actual damages?

actual damages (noun) compensatory damages (noun) other relevant words (noun) punitive damages (noun)

When should you ask for punitive damages?

As such, punitive damages are usually reserved for cases where the defendant's conduct is beyond merely negligent or intentional; the conduct must be reckless, malicious, fraudulent, wanton, outrageous, or otherwise more deserving of punishment in the eyes of the judge or jury.

What is meant by exemplary damages?

Meaning of exemplary damages in English

an amount of money that someone who commits an offence has to pay, which is intended to be large enough to prevent them or others from committing similar offences in the future: He is demanding exemplary damages for breach of privacy. See also. punitive damages.

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.

What are the four types of compensation?

The Four Major Types of Direct Compensation: Hourly, Salary, Commission, Bonuses. When asking about compensation, most people want to know about direct compensation, particularly base pay and variable pay.

What are the 5 types of damages?

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

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 emotional distress damages compensatory?

Emotional distress damages are a subset of what are commonly called “compensatory damages.”

Can you receive both compensatory and punitive damages?

Judges or juries can award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages in some lawsuits. California Civil Code 3294 allows juries to award them – but the victim in the case has to prove that the defendant's conduct amounted to malice, oppression or fraud, such as when the case involves intentional harm or ...