17.74 Damages: Duty to Minimize Damages is a legal doctrine that holds that a party who has suffered harm must take reasonable steps to minimize the damages incurred. This doctrine applies to both contractual and tort cases, and seeks to prevent a party from being unjustly enriched by their own negligence. It applies to situations where a party has suffered a loss due to another party’s breach of duty or negligence. Common types of 17.74 Damages: Duty to Minimize Damages include: Compensatory Damages, Punitive Damages, and Attorneys' Fees. Compensatory Damages are those damages that are meant to compensate the injured party for the specific losses they have suffered due to the other party’s actions. Punitive Damages are those damages that are meant to punish the other party for their actions. Attorneys' Fees are those costs associated with hiring a lawyer to represent the injured party in the case.