Simple English definitions for legal terms
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An abridgment of damages is when a court decides to lower the amount of money that someone has to pay in certain cases. This can happen if the damages awarded by a jury are too high. The court may order a new trial or require the damages to be reduced. This is called a remittitur. It's like when a teacher gives you a second chance to do better on a test or gives you a lower grade if you got too many answers wrong. A remittitur is different from an additur, which is when a court increases the damages awarded by a jury.
Definition: A legal term that refers to the right of a court to reduce the amount of damages awarded in certain cases. This is also known as remittitur.
Example: If a jury awards a plaintiff $1 million in damages, but the court finds that the amount is excessive or not supported by the evidence, the court may order an abridgment of damages. This means that the court will reduce the amount of damages awarded to a more reasonable or appropriate amount.
Explanation: Abridgment of damages is a way for the court to ensure that the amount of damages awarded is fair and reasonable. It is often used in cases where the jury's award is excessive or not supported by the evidence. By reducing the damages, the court can prevent the plaintiff from receiving an unfair windfall, while still compensating them for their losses.