LAW OF DAMAGES
SUMMARY NOTES
CLS cc ©
Damages Notes
1
Critical Law Studies CC ©
LAW OF DAMAGES NOTES:
CHAPTER 1:
Definition, nature and scope of
... [Show More] the law of damages
Definition:
The law of damage is that part of the law which indicates how the
existence and extent of damage, as well as the proper amount of
damages are to be determined in the case of delict, breach of contract
and other legal principles providing for the payment of damages.
Nature and scope
The law of damages should be defined as constituting of principles
regarding the compensation of all forms of damage.
The law of damages determines the content of an obligation to pay
damages or satisfaction.
The object of the law of damages should be seen as the provision of
just, logical and practical rules and principles in solving problems
regarding the determination of damage, damages and satisfaction.
What will give rise to a claim for damages?
1) Delictual remedies:
a) The actio legis aquiliae which provides for damages on
account for unlawful and culpable causing of any
patrimonial loss
b) Actio inuriarum: satisfaction may be recovered for
unlawful and intentional personality infringement
c) Action for pain and suffering: damages for nonpatrimonial loss on account of the unlawful and culpable
infringement of the physical-mental integrity
2) Liability without fault and liability based on risk:
a) The actio de pauperie: damages for patrimonial and nonpatrimonial loss caused by animals are recoverable
b) Actio de pastu: compensation for patrimonial loss may be
recovered where an animal has caused damage through
eating and damaging plants
c) Vicarious liability: a duty to pay damages or satisfaction
is placed on the defendant because of a delict of another
3) Legislation
4) Breach of contract
5) Contract and realization of risk (insurance contract): the
conclusion of a contract and the subsequent realization of risk
are a source for the claim of damages where an insurer has
given a contractual undertaking to indemnify the insured in
terms of a policy if the realization of risk causes damage
6) Claims based on a right of recourse or adjustment
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CLS cc ©
Damages Notes
2
Critical Law Studies CC ©
Definitions – NB!!
Damage: is the reduction as a result of the damage causing event, of
the use or quality of a patrimonial or personality interest in satisfying
the legally recognized needs of the person involved
Patrimonial loss: is the diminution in the utility of a patrimonial
interest in satisfying the recognized needs of the person entitled to
such interest. It may be defined as the loss or reduction of a positive
asset in someone’s patrimony or the creation or increase of a negative
element
Patrimony: consists of all subjective rights having a monetary value
as well as the expectation of acquiring such rights.
In a factual and economic sense its everything of an individual which
has a monetary value and which may be used by him in satisfying his
legally recognized needs
Non-patrimonial loss: is the reduction in the quality of a highly
personal interest of an individual in satisfying his legally recognized
needs but which does not affect his patrimony
Damage-causing event: it’s a factual situation of an uncertain
nature, which has brought about damage. The factual situation
consists of conduct which may in principle lead to delictual liability or
liability for breach of contract, which may bring about a duty to pay
compensation
Affective loss: this is someone’s emotional r [Show Less]