Negligence Lawyer

Negligence is an unintentional tort where a person who committed the negligence (as tortfeasor) owed a duty of care to the person harmed, breached that duty, and caused damages to the injured person.

A Brief Discussion on damages, generally, In Ontario

In Ontario, there are various types of damages that can be claimed by, or ordered to be paid to, a person as compensation for loss or injuries. An award of damages is a type of remedy that attempts to place the person who suffered the injury or loss back in the position they would have been, if the injury or loss had not occurred.

1. Aggravated Damages - Non-Pecuniary, Compensatory

Aggravated damages are those damages that attempt to compensate a person for intangible damages as a result of the defendant's actions. This includes things such as humiliation, mental distress, or anything to do with injured dignity and pride. 

2. Contemptuous Damages

Contemptuous damages are a Court's way of demonstrating its disapproval with a Plaintiff by providing an award in the lowest current coin.

3. General Damages - Non-Pecuniary

General Damages are the direct, natural, and probable consequences of the defendant's actions. General damages cannot be calculated with precision. General damages consists of loss of amenities, loss of expectation of life, loss of future earnings, and pain and suffering.

4. Liquidated Damages

Liquidated damages that are agreed to by the parties ahead of a cause of action. These damages are sometimes used in contracts where it would be difficult to quantify damages for a breach of contract. Liquidated damages must be reasonable, or else there is a risk that Liquidated damages would be seen as a penalty clause.

5. Nominal Damages

Nominal damages are damages awarded to a plaintiff who's legal rights have been breached.

6. Punitive (or Exemplary) Damages

Punitive or exemplary damages are awarded to punish a defendant for harsh, malicious, or vindictive behaviour.

7. Special Damages - Pecuniary

Special damages can be calculated with precision. Special damages consists of pecuniary losses such as loss of past wages.