moral damage

[ˈmɔrəl ˈdæmɪdʒ]
nounpl: moral damages
dano moral
1. Non-physical harm or injury to a person's dignity, reputation, feelings, or emotional well-being, typically recognized in law as grounds for compensation
The court awarded her compensation for moral damage after the defamatory article was published.
O tribunal concedeu indenização por dano moral após a publicação do artigo difamatório.
2. Legal damages awarded for emotional distress, humiliation, or injury to one's honor or character
He sued for moral damage claiming the false accusations caused him severe emotional suffering.
Ele processou por dano moral alegando que as acusações falsas causaram sofrimento emocional severo.
3. Injury to a person's psychological or emotional state as opposed to physical injury
The victim sought damages for moral damage resulting from the public harassment.
A vítima buscou indenização por dano moral resultante do assédio público.
In Brazilian law, 'dano moral' is a well-established legal concept protected by the Constitution (1988) and Civil Code, making it easier to claim compensation compared to some other legal systems. It reflects the cultural and legal emphasis on protecting individual dignity and honor. In the USA, this concept is often referred to as 'emotional distress' or 'pain and suffering' and varies significantly by state jurisdiction.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
emotional distressnon-pecuniary damageinjury to feelingsreputational harmdignitary harm
Antonyms / Antônimos
material damagephysical damageproperty damageeconomic loss

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
dano moral
Standard legal term widely used in Brazilian courts and legislation
Rio de Janeiro
dano moral
Common usage in legal contexts and everyday speech regarding personal injuries
São Paulo
dano moral
Frequently used in business law and consumer protection cases
Portugal
dano moral
Also used in Portuguese law; equivalent to 'dano não patrimonial' in some contexts

Related Words

defamationlibelslanderemotional distressdignitycompensationtort lawcivil lawsuit

Related Idioms & Phrases

to sue for moral damage
claim for moral damage
moral damage lawsuit
award moral damages
recover moral damages
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