What are PECUNIARY DAMAGES?

Pecuniary damages refer specifically to financial compensation awarded in legal cases for actual monetary losses incurred by a plaintiff. This includes costs such as medical expenses, lost wages, and other quantifiable financial losses that a person experiences as a result of another party's actions. The term "pecuniary" itself denotes something that is related to money, making this choice the most accurate representation of what pecuniary damages are.

While other types of damages, such as emotional distress awards or punitive damages, may also play a role in legal decisions, they do not fall under the category of pecuniary damages because they do not directly compensate for financial losses. Pecuniary damages are focused on restoring the economic status of the plaintiff to where it would have been had the harm not occurred, making it essential in personal injury claims and other legal matters where financial loss is a factor.