NOMINAL DAMAGE Meaning and
Definition
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Nominal damage refers to a form of monetary compensation awarded by a court in a civil lawsuit, where it is determined that the plaintiff has experienced some sort of legal harm or injury, but the actual loss or damage suffered is minimal or difficult to quantify. It is a token or symbolic amount of money granted to the plaintiff, usually as recognition of their legal rights being violated, rather than as a means of compensating for any specific economic or physical loss.
The purpose of nominal damages is mainly symbolic, serving to establish the court's acknowledgment of the plaintiff's legal claim or right, even in cases where there is no substantial harm or measurable financial loss. It is often awarded when a plaintiff successfully establishes a legal cause of action, but fails to provide evidence or demonstrate the extent of damages incurred.
Although nominal damage amounts are typically small, they hold significant legal weight as they represent a recognition of liability or a legal wrong committed. Such damages can help maintain public confidence in the legal system, reinforcing principles of accountability and deterring future similar misconduct or violations of rights. It is important to note that while nominal damages may not fully compensate a plaintiff for their losses, they form an integral part of civil litigation by validating a plaintiff's claim and affirming their legal rights.
Common Misspellings for NOMINAL DAMAGE
- bominal damage
- mominal damage
- jominal damage
- hominal damage
- niminal damage
- nkminal damage
- nlminal damage
- npminal damage
- n0minal damage
- n9minal damage
- noninal damage
- nokinal damage
- nojinal damage
- nomunal damage
- nomjnal damage
- nomknal damage
- nomonal damage
- nom9nal damage
- nom8nal damage
- nomibal damage
Etymology of NOMINAL DAMAGE
The word "nominal" comes from the Latin word "nōminālis", which means "pertaining to a name". It is derived from the Latin word "nōmen", meaning "name".
The term "damage" originates from the Old French word "domage", which came from the Latin word "damnum", meaning "harm" or "injury".
When combined, "nominal damage" refers to a small or token amount of compensation awarded to a plaintiff in a lawsuit to acknowledge a legal wrong, even if no significant harm or injury has been suffered. The term "nominal" in this context implies that the amount awarded is merely symbolic and does not reflect the actual loss or harm caused.
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