What is the term for money awarded in a lawsuit?

The term for money awarded in a lawsuit is referred to as damages. This compensation is intended to cover losses suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the defendant's actions or negligence. Damages can take various forms, including compensatory damages, which are meant to reimburse the injured party for actual losses, and punitive damages, which are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. Understanding the concept of damages is essential in the legal and medical context, as it relates to accountability and the consequences of negligence in situations that may involve emergency medical services or patient care.

The other terms, while related to legal proceedings, do not specifically capture the concept of awarded money in a lawsuit. Fees refer to charges for services provided, settlements denote agreements reached between parties to resolve a dispute outside of court, and payouts often refer to any disbursement of money, not necessarily linked to a legal determination. Thus, damages specifically encapsulates the idea of financial compensation that arises from legal rulings.