A pecuniary compensation or indemnity, which may be recovered in the courts by any person who has suffered loss, detriment, or injury, whether to his person, property, or rights, through the unlawful act or omission or negligence of another. Scott v. Donald, 105 U. S. 58, 17 Sup. Ct. 205, 41 L. Ed. 032; Crane v. Peer, 43 N. J. Eq. 553, 4 Atl. 72; Cincinnati v. Hafer, 49 Ohio St. 00, 30 N. E. 197; Wainscott v. Loan Ass’n, 98 Cal. 253, 33 Pac. 8S; Carvill v. Jacks, 43 Ark. 449; Collins v. Railroad Co., 9 Heisk. (Tenn.) 850; New York v. Lord, 17 Wend. (N. Y.) 293; O’Connor v. Dils, 43 W. Va. 54, 20 S. E. 354.
A sum of money assessed by a jury, on finding for the plaintiff or successful party in an action, as a compensation for the injury done him by the opposite party. 2 Bl.Comm. 438; Co. Litt. 257a; 2 Tidd, Pr. 869, S70.
Every person who suffers detriment from the unlawful act or omission of another may recover from the person in fault a compensation therefor in money, which is called “damages.” Civ. Code Cal.
See, Personal Injury Cases: A Guide to Damages and Settlements, How to Get Compensated for Common Car Crash Injuries