Ascertained damages are damages that can be specifically calculated or estimated based on evidence and factual information. They are often awarded in legal cases where one party has suffered harm or loss as a result of the actions of another party. In these cases, the court will assess the harm that has been suffered and award damages to compensate the injured party for their losses.
There are several types of damages that may be awarded in a legal case, including compensatory damages, punitive damages, and nominal damages. Compensatory damages are designed to compensate the injured party for their actual losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. These damages are intended to put the injured party in the same position they would have been in had the injury or loss not occurred.
Punitive damages, on the other hand, are not intended to compensate the injured party, but rather to punish the party who caused the harm. These damages are typically awarded in cases where the offending party acted in a particularly egregious or malicious manner.
Nominal damages, meanwhile, are damages that are awarded in cases where the injured party has not suffered any actual harm or loss, but the court still finds that the offending party is liable. These damages are typically awarded in small amounts and are intended to acknowledge the legal wrong that has been committed.
In order to determine the amount of damages that should be awarded in a case, the court will consider a variety of factors, including the extent of the harm suffered, the nature of the injury or loss, and the conduct of the parties involved. The court may also consider the potential impact of the injury or loss on the injured party's future prospects and well-being.
In cases where the amount of damages cannot be specifically calculated, the court may award what are known as "unascertained damages." These damages are based on estimates and are typically used in cases where the harm suffered is difficult to quantify, such as in cases involving emotional distress or mental suffering.
Ascertained damages are an important aspect of the legal system, as they allow courts to hold parties accountable for their actions and compensate those who have been harmed as a result. By determining and awarding damages, courts can help to ensure that justice is served and that injured parties are fairly compensated for their losses.
What are ascertained damages in construction?
What types of damage can be claimed? How do you prove liquidated damages? Deducting and recovering LADs Employers will want the right to deduct LADs from sums owed to the contractor under the contract but also the right to recover LADs as a debt, to cover the scenario where the contractor's liability for LADs exceeds sums otherwise due to the contractor under the contract. Up to this point the accrual of LAD ended upon termination of a contract. Put simply, a LAD clause must not be a stand-alone clause or primary obligation but a secondary obligation, otherwise it is likely to be unenforceable. View the related News about Liquidated and Ascertained Damages Construction weekly highlightsâ23 September 2021 This week's edition of Construction weekly highlights includes a case in which the Technology and Construction Court TCC considered various issues relating to a disputed final account CC Construction v Mincione , the publication of the Code for Construction Product Information which aims to improve the clarity and reliability of information provided by product manufacturers, analysis of the current position on cladding remediation across the country and its implications for insurance, publication by the Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA of a report which demonstrates the critical role of the built environment sector in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a statement published by the Construction Leadership Council CLC on construction product availability and news from NEC of a review by the Hong Kong government which highlights the performance benefits of using NEC contracts. However the rate of LADs is expressed, the mechanism for calculating the exact amount of LADs must be clear and unambiguous. You are only able to deduct legitimate business expenses. Charles is a nationally recognized capital markets specialist and educator with over 30 years of experience developing in-depth training programs for burgeoning financial professionals.
Is liquidated damages taxable income?
This is preferable to leaving such a decision up to what can be a very unpredictable, expensive, and time-consuming Liquidated Damages Example Involving a Basketball Coach An example of liquidated damages can be found in a case wherein a basketball coach breached his contract with his university employer to take an identical position at a higher paygrade. In fact, the court found that although the contract contained two different dates for completion and Schedule 10 contained two sets of rates of LADs, it was still possible to conclude what the parties had agreed as to a when the works would be complete and b what rates of LADs would be applicable if the works were not completed on time. A dispute arose over whether liquidated and ascertained damages could be accrued for late completion of the whole of the Works where two thirds of the Works were deemed to have met practical completion as EWB took partial possession of the site. Compensatory damages are generally the most identifiable and concrete type of damages. If you are not utilising the LADs provisions in a standard form contract, or if LADs are being covered off by a separate mechanism in a schedule of amendments, then the whole of the obsolete provision in the standard form should be clearly deleted. For summaries of key cases that consider, or are relevant to, LADs clauses in construction contracts, see Practice Note: Liquidated damages in construction contractsâcase law. Is money received from an insurance claim taxable? Last, if you are intending to rely on a LAD clause in a contract for the purpose of risk management â whether it is to strengthen your claim for compensation in the event of a breach of contract or to set a pre-determined sum which the other party is entitled to for breach â it is important that the LAD clause is drafted with accuracy and care in order for it to be given legal effect.