Damages
Updated 2026-09-29
Damages is the sum of money a court orders one party to pay another, meant to compensate for loss caused by a civil wrong, such as fraud or deceit. It is the main remedy sought in most civil claims against a scammer.
Damages usually aim to put the wronged person back in the position they would have been in had the wrong not happened, as closely as money can achieve that. This normally includes the amount lost, and can include other losses that flow directly from it.
An award of damages is only as useful as the losing party’s ability to pay. Even a court judgment for the full amount does not guarantee actual payment if the scammer has no traceable assets.
When it matters
Understanding what damages can realistically be recovered, and from whom, is a key part of deciding whether a civil claim is worth pursuing.
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