Words and phrases

 

Non-compensatory damages

In tort law, a plaintiff can seek non-compensatory damages in some situations. Nominal damages (damages of a small amount) can be claimed to establish that the defendant has breached their legal duty to the plaintiff.

Exemplary or aggravated damages can be awarded, in addition to compensatory damages, to mark the court's disapproval of the wrongdoer's conduct. The award of such damages is now limited in some cases by legislation.