Which legal term refers to an award for losses caused by another's wrongful act?

The legal term that refers to an award for losses caused by another's wrongful act is civil damages. Civil damages are monetary compensation awarded to a person who has suffered loss or injury due to the wrongful actions of another party. This can occur in various contexts, such as personal injury cases, property damage, or defamation. The fundamental purpose of civil damages is to make the injured party whole again or to restore them to the position they would have been in had the wrongful act not occurred. This type of recompense is foundational in tort law, which deals primarily with civil wrongs and is distinct from criminal justice, where the focus is on punishing unlawful behavior.

The other terms listed refer to different legal concepts. For instance, contractual recovery pertains specifically to damages awarded for breaches of contract, focusing more on disputes between parties that arise from a contractual agreement rather than general wrongful acts. Affirmative relief usually involves the court taking action to provide a specific remedy rather than merely compensating for losses. Judicial relief is a broader concept that refers to any remedy provided by a court, which could include various forms of support, not just financial compensation for losses due to wrongful acts.