3. (a) That's right. To claim damages for deceit, a plaintiff must be able to prove that they have suffered actual loss as a result of the misrepresentation. If they can do this, the plaintiff is entitled to damages sufficient to put them in the position they would have been in had they not relied on the false statement. This includes both immediate and consequential losses.

In the present case, the facts show that B paid $270,000 more than she otherwise would have paid for the business, because she relied on A's statement. She could claim this sum, plus any additional consequential losses.