Damages Awarded in Lawsuits

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Last Updated: October 26, 2011

In law, damages is an award of money to be paid to a person as compensation for a loss or injury. In civil cases, the disputes are typically between individuals regarding legal duties and repsonsibilites they owe one another. A person or company can sue another person or company for damages as set forth in the FDCPA. The FDCPA allows someone to sue for "actual damages" which arise due to actions taken by a collection agency. Another term for "actual damages" is compensatory damages. However there are other kinds of damages which can be awarded in these types of cases.

Please Note: I AM NOT A LAWYER. If you are facing court, it's ALWAYS a good idea to hire an attorney or get some legal assistance. Depending on your area and circumstances, in come cases, you can get free help. If you cannot afford it, though, take heart. Lot of people have handled their cases pro per (in other words, without a lawyer.)

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages, also referred to as actual damages, is money that covers the actual injury or economic loss. Compensatory damages are intended to put the injured party in the position he was in prior to the injury. Compensatory damages typically include medical expenses, lost wages and the repair or replacement of property.

General Damages

General damages are intended to cover injuries for which an exact dollar amount cannot be calculated. General damages are usually composed of pain and suffering, but can also include compensation for a shortened life expectancy, loss of the companionship of a loved one and, in defamation cases (libel and slander), loss of reputation.

Nominal Damages

Nominal damages is a term used when a judge or jury finds in favor of one party to a lawsuit - often because a law requires them to do so - but concludes that no real harm was done and therefore awards a very small amount of money. For example, if one neighbor sues another for libel based on untrue things the second neighbor said about the first, a jury might conclude that although libel technically occurred, no serious damage was done to the first neighbor's reputation and consequentially award nominal damages of $1.00.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are sometimes called exemplary damages, awarded over and above special and general damages to punish a losing party's willful or malicious misconduct. Punitive damages are not awarded in order to compensate the Plaintiff, but in order to reform or deter the Defendant and similar persons from pursuing a course of action such as that which damaged the Plaintiff.

Special Damages

Special damages is an award that covers the winning party's out-of-pocket costs. For example, in a vehicle accident, special damages typically include medical expenses, car repair costs, rental car fees and lost wages. Often called "specials".

Statutory Damages

Statutory damages are required by statutory law. For example, in many states if a landlord doesn't return a tenant's security deposit in a timely fashion or give a reason why it is being withheld, the state statutes give the judge authority to order the landlord to pay damages of double or triple the amount of the deposit.

Treble Damages

Treble damages are lawyerspeak for triple damages. To penalize lawbreakers, statutes occasionally give judges the power to award the winning party in a civil lawsuit the amount it lost as a result of the other party's illegal conduct, plus damages of three times that amount.