What types of damages can be awarded in civil litigation?

In New Mexico, damages awarded in civil litigation can be divided into two categories: compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are designed to make up for what the plaintiff has lost as a result of the defendant’s wrongful conduct. They may include reimbursement for medical costs, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses associated with the injury. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are designed to punish the defendant for the wrong deed and to deter them from similar actions in the future. These damages can also be awarded if the defendant acted in a reckless or malicious manner, and are usually awarded in addition to compensatory damages. Other types of damages that may be awarded in civil litigation include nominal damages, which are awarded to the plaintiff to recognize a legal right that has been violated but did not cause the plaintiff any actual harm. Liquidated damages are also used in some cases, and are determined by the parties ahead of time as part of the contract in order to resolve a dispute that may arise in the future. Finally, the court may also award exemplary damages, which are designed to punish the defendant and serve as an example to deter others from similar acts.

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What types of damages can be awarded in civil litigation?

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