damages
Damages are the official amount of money awarded to the winner in a law suit. If you're hurt in a car accident that's another driver's fault, you may end up collecting damages.
The legal term damages usually refers to money that's owed or received to compensate someone for a loss or an injury. If a business owner's negligence — not clearing ice from a sidewalk, for example — causes you to be injured, you can sue her for damages to pay for your broken arm and the days of work you had to miss. Sometimes a court awards "punitive damages" as well, which are specifically intended to punish the defendant.
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a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
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synonyms:
amends, indemnification, indemnity, redress, restitution
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types:
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relief
(law) redress awarded by a court
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actual damages, compensatory damages, general damages
(law) compensation for losses that can readily be proven to have occurred and for which the injured party has the right to be compensated
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nominal damages
(law) a trivial sum (usually $1.00) awarded as recognition that a legal injury was sustained (as for technical violations of a contract)
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exemplary damages, punitive damages, smart money
(law) compensation in excess of actual damages (a form of punishment awarded in cases of malicious or willful misconduct)
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atonement, expiation, satisfaction
compensation for a wrong
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double damages
twice the amount that a court would normally find the injured party entitled to
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treble damages
three times the amount that a court would normally find the injured party entitled to
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type of:
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compensation
something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury)
Vocabulary lists containing damages
This biography chronicles the life of Sojourner Truth, a woman who was born a slave, and who became the embodiment of the universal ideals of abolition and equality.
This nonfiction work tells the story of the Hilterjugend — a group of German youths who were indoctrinated with Nazi policies and beliefs, making them an important part of the Nazi's World War II efforts.
Thirteen-year-old Sikander Aziz must join forces with the legendary hero Gilgamesh to stop an ancient god from destroying New York City.
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