Pecuniary damages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Pecuniary damages" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to monetary compensation awarded to a plaintiff for losses suffered. Example: "The court awarded her pecuniary damages for the financial losses incurred due to the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Pecuniary damages, on the other hand, compensate the victim for the economic consequences of the injury, such as medical expenses, lost earnings and the cost of custodial care.

Harvard University

This aspect of damages, however, stands on less certain ground than does an award for pecuniary damages.

Harvard University

Such an analytical approach may have its place when the subject is pecuniary damages, which can be calculated with some precision.

Harvard University

In Miles, the Supreme Court held that since the Jones Act and DOHSA allow only for the recovery of pecuniary damages, non-pecuniary damages, such as loss of society, were not recoverable in wrongful death actions based on general maritime law.

Cornell University

The First, Fifth, and Eleventh Circuit Courts have awarded punitive damages, while the Second, Third, and Ninth Circuit Courts have applied the Miles uniformity principle and awarded only pecuniary damages.

Cornell University

However, the limitation on the right to recover pecuniary damages in a private action identified in Blue Chip is not necessarily coextensive with the limits of the rule itself.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The balance of the damages awarded to her were for pecuniary damages--lost earnings and the cost of custodial and nursing care.

Harvard University

Also unchallenged are the awards in the amount of $770,978 for loss of earnings and $2,025,750 for future custodial care--that is, the pecuniary damage awards that survived defendants' posttrial motions.

Harvard University

According to Townsend, although Weeks Marine assumes punitive and non-pecuniary damages are the same, the courts have always treated them differently.

Cornell University

See Brief for Respondent at 26. Townsend claims that the Miles reasoning is confined to the context of wrongful death and non-pecuniary damages and does not apply to the concept of maintenance and cure and non-pecuniary damages at issue here.

Cornell University

The verdict from the Strasbourg court was a fraction of the £170,000 in non-pecuniary damages he had called for and comes a day after Qatada, once dubbed Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, lost the latest round of his legal battle to stay in the UK.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing legal or financial documents, use "Pecuniary damages" to specifically refer to monetary compensation for economic losses. It emphasizes the financial aspect of the damage suffered.

Common error

Avoid using "Pecuniary damages" when referring to compensation for emotional distress or pain and suffering. These are considered non-pecuniary damages and require different terminology.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Pecuniary damages" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause within legal and financial contexts. Ludwig confirms its use in contexts related to compensation and legal proceedings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Pecuniary damages" is a noun phrase used to denote financial compensation for economic losses, commonly found in legal and academic contexts. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and serves to specify the monetary aspect of damages in legal proceedings. While not exceedingly common, its usage is precise and essential in distinguishing from non-pecuniary losses. Remember to use "Pecuniary damages" when discussing quantifiable financial harm and avoid using it for intangible losses such as emotional distress. Related phrases include "financial compensation" and "economic damages", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Financial compensation

Replaces the legal term "pecuniary" with a more general term for money.

Compensatory damages

Highlights the compensatory nature of the financial award.

Monetary losses

Focuses on the aspect of financial loss rather than compensation.

Economic damages

Uses a broader economic term instead of the specific legal term "pecuniary".

Pecuniary loss

Focuses solely on the financial loss, excluding the term "damages."

Financial reparations

Emphasizes the restorative aspect of compensation.

Financial reimbursement

Focuses on the act of repaying financial losses.

Material damages

Uses "material" to indicate tangible financial loss.

Financial settlements

Implies a resolution involving financial compensation.

Out-of-pocket expenses

Refers specifically to direct expenses incurred.

FAQs

What are some examples of "Pecuniary damages"?

"Pecuniary damages" include costs such as medical expenses, lost wages, and the cost of custodial care resulting from an injury or damage.

What is the difference between "Pecuniary damages" and non-pecuniary damages?

"Pecuniary damages" refer to financial losses that can be quantified, while non-pecuniary damages compensate for intangible losses like pain, suffering, and emotional distress.

How are "Pecuniary damages" calculated?

"Pecuniary damages" are calculated by assessing the actual financial losses incurred, such as medical bills, lost income, and property damage.

Can I use "economic damages" instead of "Pecuniary damages"?

While "economic damages" is a related term, "Pecuniary damages" is more specific to legally quantifiable financial losses, making it preferable in legal contexts.