Is it possible to recover only economic loss through a negligence claim?

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Under tort law, particularly in negligence claims, the recovery of damages is typically premised on the presence of a duty of care that has been breached, leading to actual harm. Economic loss refers to financial losses that a claimant suffers as a result of another party's negligence, such as lost profits or decreased property value, without any accompanying physical injury or property damage.

In general, the courts have held that negligent conduct resulting solely in economic loss is often not actionable unless there is also a physical injury or property damage. This principle is rooted in the desire to limit potential liability for defendants, in order to avoid an open-ended obligation to compensate for all forms of economic loss which may arise from negligent actions. As a result, without physical injury, the ability to recover purely economic losses is generally barred, making it necessary to demonstrate that the negligence resulted in tangible harm beyond mere financial detriment.

This legal precedent helps to define the boundaries of negligence claims and ensures that plaintiffs have suffered a more significant form of harm, which justifies a legal remedy.

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