Four Types of Damages Available in a Breach of Contract - Pence Law Firm, PC (2024)

Four Types of Damages Available in a Breach of Contract - Pence Law Firm, PC (1)

Usually, when two parties enter into a business contract, both intend to uphold their end of the deal. However, sometimes circ*mstances arise that make the terms of the contract less appealing or even impossible to uphold. If someone breaches their contract with your business, it can leave you in a lurch, financially, practically, or both.

Sometimes, it is possible to take your breach of contract case to court and receive compensation for your losses. Today, we’re looking into four types of damages you may be able to receive in a breach of contract case.

1.Compensatory damages

Compensatory damages aim to restore the party who did NOT breach the contract back to the position they would have been in if the other party had held up their end of the deal as promised.

2.Punitive damages

Punitive damages go beyond compensatory damages. The breaching party must not only restore the non-breaching party, but also give them more money beyond that. This is intended to punish the breaching party for the damage they have inflicted. It is rare for punitive damages to be awarded in business contract cases.

3.Nominal damages

Nominal damages are symbolic and usually not a lot of money. They are awarded in cases where perhaps the non-breaching party was not severely, if at all, impacted by the breach but still want to hold the other party accountable.

4.Liquidated damages

Sometimes a contract lists certain, specific damages that can be collected in case of a breach. These are referred to as liquidated damages. Usually the only liquidated damages that qualify to be collected in a business contract case are those that are reasonably calculated estimates of what losses would have (and did) occur as a result of a breach.

At Pence Law Firm, P.C. we understand the importance of business contracts and how much stress it can cause when you start incurring losses because someone you trusted didn’t do what they said they were going to do. That’s why we’re passionate about handling business litigation matters, including breach of contract. We find peaceful resolution whenever possible and fight for you in court when necessary. If you are a business owner in or around Jenks, Oklahoma and would like to learn more about our services, we encourage you tocontact ustoday. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Four Types of Damages Available in a Breach of Contract - Pence Law Firm, PC (2024)

FAQs

Four Types of Damages Available in a Breach of Contract - Pence Law Firm, PC? ›

Are you wondering about seeking damages for breach of contract? There are five important types of damages that might be available, depending on your situation: compensatory damages, specific performance, an injunction, liquidated damages, or rescission.

What are the four types of damages available for breach of contract? ›

Are you wondering about seeking damages for breach of contract? There are five important types of damages that might be available, depending on your situation: compensatory damages, specific performance, an injunction, liquidated damages, or rescission.

What are the 4 types of breach of contract you need to be aware of? ›

In each scenario, you're clearly the victim of an obviously broken contract, but the tricky part is determining what type if contract breach occurred and what remedies are legally available to you. Generally speaking, there are four types of contract breaches: anticipatory, actual, minor and material.

What are the 4 elements required in a breach of contract claim? ›

These types of lawsuits are common in business litigation. There are four elements of a breach of contract claim: a valid contract, performance, breach, and damages.

Which of the following are the four major categories of damages? ›

four broad categories of damages:
  • Compensatory (to cover direct losses and costs).
  • Consequential (to cover indirect and foreseeable losses).
  • Punitive (to punish and deter wrongdoing).
  • Nominal (to recognize wrongdoing when no monetary loss is shown).

What is damages for breach of contract in contract law? ›

Section 73 states- “When a contract has been broken, the party who suffers by such breach is entitled to receive, from the party who has broken the contract, compensation for any loss or damage caused to him thereby, which naturally arose in the usual course of things from such breach, or which the parties knew, when ...

What are the 4 elements of negligence intent breach causation and damages? ›

A negligence claim requires that the person bringing the claim (the plaintiff) establish four distinct elements: duty of care, breach, causation, and damages.

What are the four 4 modes of breach of breach of obligation? ›

Different breaches have varying levels of severity and consequences.
  • The four main types of breach of contract are as follows:
  • Type 1: Minor (or partial) breach of contract.
  • Type 2: Material breach of contract.
  • Type 3: Fundamental (or actual) breach of contract.
  • Type 4: Anticipatory breach of contract.
Dec 22, 2023

What are the 5 breaches of contract? ›

  • Minor Breach. ...
  • Material Breach. ...
  • Anticipatory Breach. ...
  • Fundamental Breach. ...
  • Actual Breach.

What are the four ways to handle a breach of contract? ›

What To Do Next
  • Discuss the matter with the other party. In many situations, the other party may not know that they breached the contract. ...
  • Understand your time limits. If you cannot reach a resolution by talking to the other party, you may need to take legal action to obtain relief. ...
  • Calculate your losses. ...
  • Try mediation.

What are the four judicial remedies for contract breach? ›

There are several remedies for breach of contract, such as award of damages, specific performance, rescission, andrestitution.

What are the 4 main elements of a contract? ›

The basic elements required for the agreement to be a legally enforceable contract are: mutual assent, expressed by a valid offer and acceptance; adequate consideration; capacity; and legality.

How to claim damages for breach of contract? ›

You cannot bring a breach of contract claim merely because the other party has failed to perform; you must have suffered loss as a result. The type of loss you have incurred must have been a foreseeable consequence of the subsequent breach at the time you made the contract. You are under a duty to mitigate any loss.

What are the types of damages in a breach of contract action? ›

5 Types of Damages That May Be Awarded for a Breach of Contract
  • Compensatory Damages. These damages are meant to compensate the non-breaching party for any direct losses they experienced due to the breach of contract. ...
  • Liquidated Damages. ...
  • Nominal Damages. ...
  • Restitutionary Damages. ...
  • Punitive Damages.

How many types of damages are there? ›

There are six different types of damages: compensatory, incidental, consequential, nominal, liquidated, and (sometimes) punitive.

What are the classification of damages in contract law? ›

The two main categories of damages in contract law are restitutionary damages and expectation damages.

What are the different measures of damages available for a breach of contract? ›

The general rule is that damages are meant to place the claimant in the same position as if the contract had been performed. Damages are usually awarded for expectation loss (loss of a bargain) or reliance loss (wasted expenditure).

What are special damages in a breach of contract? ›

In contract law, special damages (also called consequential damages) refer to irregular damages such as physical injuries during a breach of contract, but general damages would refer to the damages expected from the contract being breached.

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