compensatory damages

noun

: money awarded to a victim to make up for an injury, damage, etc.
The patient sued for compensatory damages.

Examples of compensatory damages in a Sentence

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The complaint — which demands a jury trial and compensatory damages — alleges that the assault happened while Pierce was on a break from filming Drag Race winner Bianca Del Rio's Hurricane Bianca movie in October 2017 in New York City. EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025 If you are injured in a car crash and collect $50,000 in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, the former is tax-free. Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025 Amin had sued for $10 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages. David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 Feb. 2025 After the jury awarded the $5 million in compensatory damages, the two sides began a separate hearing to determine punitive damages. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compensatory damages

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Cite this Entry

“Compensatory damages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensatory%20damages. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Legal Definition

compensatory damages

noun
: actual damages at damage 2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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