A party may recover compensatory damages for any actual loss that the party can prove with reasonable certainty.
Cook Illinois Instruction to Jury Regarding Compensatory Damages for Conversion The Cook Illinois Instruction to Jury Regarding Compensatory Damages for Conversion is a crucial part of the legal process in cases involving conversion. Conversion refers to the wrongful act of taking someone's property without their consent, depriving them of their right to possess, use, or sell it. It is essential to understand the different types of instructions that the jury may receive when calculating compensatory damages for conversion in Cook Illinois. 1. Standard Instruction: The standard Cook Illinois instruction to the jury regarding compensatory damages for conversion is given in cases where the defendant has wrongfully taken another individual's property. This instruction guides the jury in determining the fair market value of the converted property at the time of the conversion. It instructs the jury to award the amount equivalent to the property's value to the plaintiff as compensatory damages. 2. Instruction for Damaged or Destroyed Property: In cases where the converted property has been damaged or destroyed, a specific Cook Illinois instruction may address this situation. This instruction guides the jury in determining the fair market value of the property immediately before the damage or destruction occurred and awards the corresponding amount as compensatory damages. 3. Instruction for Lost Profits: If the conversion of property resulted in the loss of potential profits for the plaintiff, a Cook Illinois instruction can specifically address the calculation of compensatory damages for lost profits. This instruction guides the jury in evaluating and awarding the amount of lost profits that the plaintiff would have earned if the conversion had not occurred. 4. Instruction for Interest: In some cases, the Cook Illinois instruction to the jury regarding compensatory damages for conversion may also cover the issue of interest. This instruction guides the jury in deciding whether to include interest on the awarded damages and, if so, at what rate or for what period. Overall, the Cook Illinois Instruction to Jury Regarding Compensatory Damages for Conversion provides clear guidance to the jury on assessing the appropriate amount of compensatory damages in cases of conversion. These instructions ensure that the jury considers the fair value of the converted property, any damages incurred, lost profits, and potentially includes interest in the final award.