Damages

Damages, in law, money compensation for loss or injury caused by the wrongful act of another. Recovery of damages is the objective of most civil litigation. Originally redress of wrongs was direct—an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The introduction of monetary systems and dissatisfaction with the inequities of this vengeful redress led to settling disputes by awarding money damages. Today the concept is present in virtually every body of law. Although...