Punitive damages

A person or entity that has committed a civil wrong (a tort) and is therefore potentially liable in damages.

A US term for compensation covering pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress — losses without a fixed dollar value.

A rule that prevents a defendant from reducing damages by amounts the claimant has already received from independent sources (insurance, employer benefits, etc.).

A doctrine that reduces a claimant’s damages by the percentage of fault attributed to them.

A rule that allows a claimant to recover damages even if they were 99% at fault, with the award reduced by their percentage of fault.

The standard reference work, currently in its 16th edition, used by courts in England and Wales (and persuasively in Northern Ireland) to assess general damages in personal injury cases.