General Damages (Noun)
Meaning
(law) compensation for losses that can readily be proven to have occurred and for which the injured party has the right to be compensated.
Classification
Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession.
Examples
- The court awarded the plaintiff general damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life as a result of the defendant's negligence.
- As part of the settlement, the defendant agreed to pay the plaintiff substantial general damages for the harm caused by the breach of contract.
- The jury deliberated for hours before returning a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding her general damages for the physical and emotional trauma she endured.
- In addition to special damages, the court also awarded the plaintiff general damages for the defendant's reckless and negligent behavior.
- The plaintiff's attorney argued that his client was entitled to significant general damages for the long-term effects of the defendant's harmful actions.