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Proving Contract Damages: Litigation Strategies for Analyzing, Measuring, and Establishing Compensable Losses

Damages Strategies in Breach of Contract Litigation: Foreseeability, Experts, Burdens of Proof, Mitigation, and More

Recording of a 90-minute CLE video webinar with Q&A

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Conducted on Tuesday, November 14, 2023

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This CLE webinar will discuss sufficiently proving damages and damages strategies in breach of contract cases, offering best approaches for each phase of a dispute from discovery through closing argument and verdict forms. The panel will identify the types of available damages and their components, the type of proof needed to recover, defenses, burdens of proof, mitigation, and the effectiveness--or lack thereof--of contractual limitations on damages. Since most breach of contract lawsuits also allege unjust enrichment, the panel will review damages for this cause of action.

Description

Determining and proving breach of contract damages can be rife with uncertainty, and parties may be tempted to put off analyzing damages until the end of the case. Early evaluation, however, is crucial to a winning strategy that avoids surprises and increases the likelihood of a satisfactory result.

In general, the injured party is entitled to recover damages that are the natural and probable consequence of the breach, but determining this is not as easy as it sounds. Contracts routinely attempt to prevent recovery of "consequential" damages and require careful analysis to determine if such clauses are effective. In many cases, the clauses have been poorly drafted or do not apply to the damages in question.

The doctrine of unjust enrichment permits recovery without the benefit of an enforceable contractual obligation, where the defendant has unfairly benefited from the plaintiff's efforts without compensation.

Listen as this experienced panel of commercial litigators discusses damages strategies in breach of contract cases.

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Outline

  1. Damages overview
    1. Actual damages
      1. Benefit of the bargain and expectation damages
      2. Reliance and sunk cost damages
      3. Necessary expenses as damages
      4. When are market value damages consequential vs. general?
    2. Consequential damages
      1. Lost profits
    3. Nominal damages
    4. Liquidated damages
    5. Punitive damage
    6. Legal fees
    7. Interest
    8. Unjust enrichment
    9. Disgorgement
    10. What is the "loss of chance" doctrine in breach of contract claims?
  2. How do you claim/prove contract damages? What is required to sufficiently obtain compensatory damages?
    1. Pleading damages
    2. Damages models or valuation methods
      1. Example – Lost profits – What is required to recover lost future profits?
    3. Necessity and selection of experts
    4. What is the legal standard/requirement for the category of damages you seek? “Do your homework”
    5. Are there ways to avoid application of "no consequential" damages clauses in contracts?
    6. Focus on the business records – be a technician
      1. Can you use Rule 1006 summary evidence?
  3. How do you attack/disprove contract damages?
    1. Daubert challenge?
    2. Mitigation?
      1. Burden of proof?
    3. Alternative causes? (Market forces?)
    4. What are unforeseeable damages?
      1. For instance, can the non-breaching party recover losses incurred from its dealings with third parties?
      2. When does the “economic loss rule” apply?
    5. What is the standard to establish an enforceable liquidated damages clause?
    6. Reducing settlement value?
    7. Discussing damage amounts at trial?
    8. Voir dire, opening and closing statements

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key issues:

  • What is required to sufficiently prove compensatory damages?
  • What are foreseeable damages?
  • Are there ways to avoid application of "no consequential" damages clauses in contracts?
  • When are market value damages consequential vs. general?
  • What is the "loss of chance" doctrine in breach of contract claims?
  • Can the non-breaching party recover losses incurred in its dealings with third parties?

Faculty

Boland, James
James J. Boland

Partner
Smith, Gambrell & Russell

Mr. Boland is a Partner in the Litigation and Insurance Practices of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. He was a...  |  Read More

Cochran, Anthony
Anthony L. Cochran

Partner
Smith Gambrell & Russell

Mr. Cochran represents individuals and businesses in a wide variety of matters. He has tried jury trials, bench trials,...  |  Read More

Ehrhart, Katheleen
Katheleen A. Ehrhart

Partner
Smith, Gambrell & Russell

Ms. Ehrhart is a Partner in the Litigation Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. She was a Partner at...  |  Read More

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