Legal Definitions - Money Damages

Money damages refer to a type of compensation that is awarded in the form of money for some harm or injury caused to an individual. Unlike the amount requested in a money demand, the amount of money damages is not immediately apparent from the facts of the case and must be determined by the trier of fact.

• A person who has been injured in a car accident may seek money damages to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• A business that has suffered financial losses due to a breach of contract may seek money damages to recover those losses.

These examples illustrate how money damages can be awarded to compensate for various types of harm or injury. In the first example, the injured person may be awarded money damages to cover the costs associated with their injuries and the impact it has had on their life. In the second example, the business may be awarded money damages to recover the financial losses they have suffered as a result of the breach of contract.