What types of loss can be compensated by an award for damages?

Asked by: Fausto Koch  |  Last update: February 9, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (24 votes)

Usually damage awards cover items such as the cost of repairing or replacing your property, lost wages, or other expenses. Actual damages may result from a “tort.” A tort is a civil wrong that someone commits against you -- for example, damaging your car in an auto accident.

What types of loss are general damages awarded for?

General damages are those which can't easily be calculated, they consist of: Damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. This is intended to compensate for the physical and/or mental pain as caused by the injury. This can also include loss of enjoyment for life, or inability to perform certain everyday tasks.

What types of losses can plaintiffs recover as compensatory damages?

Compensatory damages for monetary losses include:
  • Medical expenses. Damages for medical expenses may include the costs of both past and future medical care and rehabilitation. ...
  • Costs of living with a disability. ...
  • Lost wages. ...
  • Repair or replacement of property. ...
  • Funeral expenses.

What damages can be awarded?

5 Types of Damages That May Be Awarded for a Breach of Contract
  • Compensatory Damages. These damages are meant to compensate the non-breaching party for any direct losses they experienced due to the breach of contract. ...
  • Liquidated Damages. ...
  • Nominal Damages. ...
  • Restitutionary Damages. ...
  • Punitive Damages.

What financial reward is given to compensate for damages?

Compensation for pain, injury, or other losses brought on by another party's tortious behavior is provided in the form of compensatory damages. Compensatory damages, sometimes known as “actual damages,” are the main compensation given in a successful personal injury case.

Types of Tort Damages

17 related questions found

What type of compensatory damages will pay?

Compensatory damages are meant to compensate the victim for the damages done to them. This includes any costs they may have accrued as a result of the accident, including medical expenses, car repair (especially if they're involved in a car accident in Los Angeles with a road rage driver), lost wages, etc.

Is emotional distress punitive damage?

If the emotional distress was caused by reckless or intentional actions, such as harassment or extreme negligence, courts may award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.

What type of damages are awarded for pain and suffering?

Damages for personal injury cases related to pain and suffering specifically include compensation for essentially having to “go through” the physical and/or emotional pain and suffering that you otherwise would never have to go through if this injury accident never occurred.

What is the main object of awarding damages?

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.

Which of the following are the most frequently awarded damages?

Punitive damages penalize the at-fault party, while compensatory damages help the injured victim. Compensatory damages are the most common and identifiable type of damage.

Which type of damages are not recoverable?

In conclusion, remote damages are not recoverable because they are too remote and speculative to be recoverable. However, ordinary damages, special damages, and nominal damages are recoverable if they are proved to have been caused by the defendant's wrongful act.

How to prove compensatory damages?

Proving compensatory damages typically requires presenting documentation such as receipts, testimony from the plaintiff or other witnesses about the impact of the tort on the plaintiff's life, and, in some cases, expert testimony.

What is an example of a vindictive damage?

There are two scenarios for awarding vindictive or exemplary damages: Breach of a promise to marry because it causes injury to his/her feelings. Wrongful dishonour of cheque by a banker because it causes loss of reputation and credibility.

What types of losses are considered general damages?

Types of General Damages
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Mental or emotional pain and suffering.
  • Disfigurement or deformity.
  • Lost enjoyment.
  • Loss of companionship (in wrongful death cases)
  • Decreased quality of life.

What are general damages for pain, suffering?

General damages: This covers the pain and suffering you have gone through and the impact the injury or illness has had on your life up to the point of settlement and any impact into the future. The amount of compensation you can expect to receive depends on the severity and the length of time of your suffering.

What is an example of exemplary damages?

Examples of acts warranting exemplary damages: publishing that someone had committed murders when the publisher knew it was not true but hated the person; an ex-husband trashes his former wife's auto and threatens further property damage; a stockbroker buys and sells a widow's stocks to generate commissions resulting ...

What has to be proven for damages to be awarded?

If you prove that you were harmed, that the other party is legally responsible for that harm, and the amount o damages, then the court may award you damages that will be paid by the other side.

What is the most common way damages are awarded?

Typically damage awards are in the form of monetary compensation to the harmed party. Damages are imposed if the court finds that a party breached a duty under contract or violated some right.

What is the main reason for awarding punitive damages?

They are specifically designed to punish defendants whose conduct is considered grossly negligent or intentional. Punitive damages are also referred to as exemplary damages as they are intended to set an example to deter others from committing similar acts.

What is the fair price of pain and suffering?

It entails totaling your economic damages and multiplying them by a variable. Typically ranging from 1.5 to 5, higher variables are assigned to more severe cases. For instance, if you incurred $100,000 in economic damages and a 1.5 variable is applied, your pain and suffering damages would amount to $150,000.

What is the average settlement for PTSD?

The average PTSD settlement amount is often between $10,000 and $100,000. Factors that influence the amount include injury severity, loss of income, how fault is determined, and the impact of injuries on everyday life.

What are damages for emotional pain?

The law recognizes that non-pecuniary losses, such as those arising from emotional distress or mental anguish, can warrant compensation. Emotional damages, often referred to as moral damages, can be claimed when a person's wrongful act or omission causes another person suffering, anguish, or psychological trauma.

How to prove emotional damages?

Gathering compelling evidence is fundamental to constructing a robust case for emotional distress. The documentation should encompass a comprehensive range of materials, including medical records, therapy or counseling records, eyewitness testimonies, and expert witness testimony.

What evidence is needed for punitive damages?

You must present “clear and convincing” evidence to win punitive damages. To meet this burden, you must prove that your claim is substantially more likely to be true than untrue. In medical malpractice cases, you can only request punitive damages if the court permits you to file an amended claim requesting them.

Can you get compensation for mental trauma?

Yes, you can. If you were involved in a car accident that wasn't your fault, you might be seeking compensation for the psychological impact it's had on your life. Whether you're experiencing mild anxiety, debilitating panic attacks or PTSD, you might be able to claim compensation.