Courts and procedure
Damages
Money a defendant must pay a plaintiff who wins a civil case. Damages can compensate for loss or injury, or punish and deter misconduct.[1]
In more detail
Florida courts must, on request, refer filed civil actions for money damages to mediation, with listed exceptions.[2] Early neutral evaluation can include an estimate of the likely range of damages.[3]
Varies by state
This is the federal courts' definition; state courts use the word the same way, though procedures differ by state. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- PlaintiffThe person or organization that files a civil lawsuit.
- SettlementWhen the parties resolve their dispute without a trial, usually by agreement and often with a payment, but generally without an admission of fault.
- Early neutral evaluation (ENE)An ADR process in which an experienced neutral, usually a lawyer who knows the subject, hears both sides early in a case and gives a confidential, non-binding assessment of its strengths and likely value.
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Sources
The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.
General information, not legal advice. MediationList is not a law firm. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Cite this page
MediationList. (2026, October 28). Damages: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/damages/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.