Legal Definitions - single-recovery rule

The single-recovery rule is also known as the one-satisfaction rule. It is a legal principle that states that a plaintiff can only recover damages once for a single harm or injury. This means that if a plaintiff has already received compensation for a particular injury, they cannot recover damages for the same injury again.

For example, if a person is injured in a car accident and receives compensation from the at-fault driver's insurance company, they cannot then sue the driver for additional damages for the same injury. The single-recovery rule prevents double recovery for the same harm.

Another example is if a person is injured on the job and receives workers' compensation benefits, they cannot then sue their employer for the same injury. The single-recovery rule applies in this case as well.

The single-recovery rule is important because it ensures that plaintiffs are not overcompensated for their injuries. It also helps to prevent multiple lawsuits for the same harm, which can be time-consuming and costly for all parties involved.