Damages are given as compensation for injury; generally, such compensation is the measure of damages where an injury is of a character capable of being estimated in money. If an injury is small or the mitigating circumstances are strong, nominal damages only are given.
History. Orig. Code 1863, § 2997; Code 1868, § 3010; Code 1873, § 3065; Code 1882, § 3065; Civil Code 1895, § 3905; Civil Code 1910, § 4502; Code 1933, § 105-2001.
Law reviews.
For comment on Burnett v. Western & A.R.R., 79 Ga. App. 530 , 54 S.E.2d 357 (1949), see 12 Ga. B. J. 211 (1949).
For comment on Padgett v. Williams, 82 Ga. App. 509 , 61 S.E.2d 676 (1950), see 13 Ga. B. J. 339 (1951).
For article, “The Torok Tort: Recovery for Abusive Litigation,” see 23 Ga. St. B.J. 84 (1987).
For article, “Pre-Impact Pain and Suffering,” see 26 Ga. St. B. J. 60 (1989).
For article, “The Discount Rate in Georgia Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Damage Calculations,” see 13 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 431 (1997).
For annual survey of product liability law, see 58 Mercer L. Rev. 313 (2006).
For article, “The Experiential Future of the Law,” see 60 Emory L.J. 585 (2011).
For note, “A Single Symbolic Dollar: How Nominal Damages Can Keep Lawsuits Alive,” see 52 Ga. L. Rev. 935 (2018).
Structure Georgia Code
Article 1 - General Provisions
§ 51-12-1. Types of Damages; Evidence Admissible in Actions Involving Special Damages
§ 51-12-2. General and Special Damages Distinguished; When Recovered
§ 51-12-3. Direct and Consequential Damages Distinguished
§ 51-12-4. Damages Given as Compensation for Injury; Measure of Damages Generally; Nominal Damages
§ 51-12-5. Additional Damages for Aggravating Circumstances
§ 51-12-6. Damages for Injury to Peace, Happiness, or Feelings
§ 51-12-7. Recovery of Necessary Expenses
§ 51-12-8. When Damage Too Remote for Recovery Generally
§ 51-12-9. How Remoteness Ascertained
§ 51-12-10. Exception to Rule Against Recovery of Remote Damages
§ 51-12-11. Mitigation of Damages Required; Exception
§ 51-12-12. Court Interference With Jury Verdict as to Damages
§ 51-12-13. Reduction of Expenses, Wages, and Other Damages to Present Value