special damage

noun

Definition of special damage

1 : damage for which a defendant is responsible but which must be pleaded and proved by plaintiff to be recoverable
2 : damage not ordinarily expected to be caused by defendant's wrong or breach of duty but in fact caused thereby under circumstances making defendant responsible
3 : damage peculiar to a plaintiff because of his particular condition or the particular circumstances in which he finds himself, but not ordinarily implied from defendant's wrong or breach of duty
4 : damage capable of being exactly measured in money or its equivalent as distinguished from damage which must be estimated and concerning which reasonable men might differ
5 : consequential damage
6 special damages plural : compensatory damages awarded for a particular harm or pecuniary loss for which special proof must be made