What are the types of damages in defamation cases?

What are the types of damages in defamation cases?

In defamation cases, damages can be categorized into three main types: actual damages, presumed damages, and punitive damages.

Can you explain what actual damages are?

Actual damages refer to the specific monetary losses that a plaintiff can prove resulted from the defamation, such as lost wages or medical expenses.

What about presumed damages?

Presumed damages are awarded without the need for the plaintiff to prove actual harm, typically in cases involving public figures or statements that are inherently damaging.

And what are punitive damages?

Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for particularly harmful behavior and deter others from similar actions. They are awarded in addition to actual or presumed damages.