Damages
Monetary compensation awarded to an injured party in a civil lawsuit to compensate for losses suffered.
Detailed Explanation
There are several types: compensatory damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage), general damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress), and punitive damages (punishment for egregious conduct). Economic damages are objectively calculable. Non-economic damages are subjective and often the most contested part of a case.
Related Terms
Settlement
An agreement to resolve a legal dispute without going to trial, where the defendant pays the plaintiff an agreed amount.
Verdict
The formal decision made by a jury or judge at the conclusion of a trial determining the outcome of a case.
Negligence
Failure to exercise reasonable care that results in harm to another person, forming the basis of most personal injury claims.