Damages and Remedies Flashcards
What is the goal for tort damages?
Make the P whole
Compensation
Three types of COMPENSATORY damages
- general damages
- special damages
- nominal damages
What are general damages?
Flow from the commission of the tort itself
Noneconomic
- physical pain and suffering
- mental pain and suffering
What is the measure of general damages?
The enlightened conscience of a fair and impartial jury
How can P prove pain and suffering?
subjective: P’s own testimony
objective: expert testifies
Negligent infliction of emotional distress: what must P prove?
Some physical manifestation
Special damages
Loss of money or something money can buy
- lost salary, property damage, medical bills
To get special damages, what must P do?
Plead with particularity
If P’s animal is killed, what are the damages?
What if the conduct was intentional and directed at P?
Chattel value only
P may be able to recover mental pain and suffering damages (if intentional and directed at P)
What happens in GA if you get in a car accident? Must you bring everything in one lawsuit?
Can bring 2 suits: (1) property damage and (2) personal injuries.
*Exception to claim preclusion
What is the evidentiary standard for punitive damages?
Clear and convincing evidence that D acted with such willful misconduct, malice, fraud, or wantonness or entire want of care as to raise a presumption of CONSCIOUS INDIFFERENCE to the consequences.
What if P wants punitive damages?
P must plead, ask for punitive damages.
In GA, what is the maximum P can get for punitive damages?
Capped at $250,000 per claim
subject to exceptions
In GA, what are the exceptions to the punitive damages cap?
- products liability cases
2. specific intent
What does it mean when there are no caps for punitive damages with specific intent?
It means that any case where D was voluntarily intoxicated, there will be NO cap on punitive damages.
If there is a punitive damages award in a products liability case, who gets the proceeds?
GA gets 75% of the award. Only first P can recover punitive damages against D.
When can D’s assets be considered when determining damages?
ONLY punitive damages
Are punitive damages available against the sovereign?
NO
What if you are suing for IIED? (or whole injury is mental): can you get punitive damages?
No recovery for punitive damages
Restrictions on damages: special rules
- must mitigate damages
2. collateral source rule
Duty to mitigate: what types of cases?
Tort AND contract
Does failure to wear a seatbelt constitute a failure to mitigate?
NO. Failure to wear a seatbelt is not admissible to lessen recovery.
When are lost profits recoverable?
When they are:
- reasonably certain
- proximately caused
Collateral source rule: what is it? Does GA follow it?
Rule of evidence that EXCLUDES evidence of payment to P from third parties (insurance proceeds, help from friends and family)
What are you claiming when you claim loss of consortium?
Services
Society
Companionship
Affection
When you claim loss of consortium?
Only when both people are STILL living
Can a child recover for parental consortium?
Not in GA
Conversion remedies: what choices does P have?
P can ELECT:
- return of the chattel
- market price
- rent for each day it was gone + return of chattel
What is the measure of the chattel for conversion in GA?
Highest proved value b/w time of conversion and time of trial
MBE: value determined when chattel was converted
What damages may be available for fraud?
- benefit of the bargain (whatever D profited we take away)
- punitive damages
- attorney’s fees
- other consequential damages
What are damages limited to in contract cases?
- damages arising DIRECTLY from the breach of contract AND
- these damages were within the contemplation of the parties
What is quantum meruit?
Use when there is an implied contract
Person who performed services gets the value of the goods or services to the recipient
In GA, does a landlord have a duty to re-rent?
No. But if someone wants to rent, you must rent it if reasonable.
Are consequential damages recoverable in GA?
Not recoverable unless they can be traced solely to the breach.
When are punitive damages allowed in contract cases?
Never except a breach of a promise to marry
*can get punitive damages for fraud if P elects to sue under a tort theory
When can you get equitable remedies? (Steps)
- legal remedy must be inadequate
2. the equitable relief must be feasible
Equitable defenses: types
- unclean hands
- time barred (laches)
- impossibility or hardship
- freedom of speech or other constitutional issues
When will a legal remedy be inadequate? Possibilities are:
- subject matter is unique
- money damages would be speculative or uncertain
- P would have to bring multiple or successive lawsuits
- D is insolvent
- harm is irreparable
What makes an equitable remedy feasible?
- D is present in the forum state OR
- property subject to the litigation is present in the forum state
AND
ability for equity court to determine or supervise compliance by D
How does equity normally enforce its decrees?
By holding the non-complying party in contempt