Question

The Latin word 'Injuria Sine Damnum' Literally means:

• A. Infringement of legal right without damages.
• B. Damages without Infringement of legal right.
• C. Both A & B
• D. All of the above

Hint:

Think of 'Injuria' as legal injury and 'Damnum' as damage/loss. 'Injuria Sine Damnum' (legal injury without damage) is actionable. Its opposite, 'Damnum Sine Injuria' (damage without legal injury), is not.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

'Injuria Sine Damnum' is a maxim in the law of torts. It breaks down as: \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{Injuria: Injury to a legal right.} \\ \bullet & \text{Sine: Without.} \\ \bullet & \text{Damnum: Damage, loss, or harm in terms of money, comfort, health, etc.} \\ \end{array}\] Thus, the maxim means an infringement of a legally protected right without causing any actual harm or loss. In such cases, the violation of the legal right itself is actionable, and the plaintiff can succeed even without proving any actual damage. A classic example is the case of Ashby v. White, where a voter was wrongfully prevented from voting but suffered no damage as his preferred candidate won anyway. He was still awarded damages for the violation of his legal right to vote.