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HomeCivil CodeDiv. 4Pt. 1Ch. 2Art. 2§ 3333 Non-Contractual Damages Measure

§ 3333 Non-Contractual Damages Measure

Civil Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 3333 Non-Contractual Damages Measure

Key Takeaways

  • •If someone hurts you or your stuff, they have to pay for the damage they caused.
  • •They pay for all the bad stuff that happened because of what they did, even if they didn’t mean for it to happen.
  • •This only applies when there’s no contract involved.

Example

Your neighbor’s dog runs into your yard and breaks your fence.

Your neighbor has to pay to fix the fence because their dog caused the damage, even if they didn’t think the dog would do that.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 3333 Non-Contractual Damages Measure

For the breach of an obligation not arising from contract, the measure of damages, except where otherwise expressly provided by this Code, is the amount which will compensate for all the detriment proximately caused thereby, whether it could have been anticipated or not. (Enacted 1872.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

breach of an obligation not arising from contractmeasure of damagesdetriment proximately caused

Related Statutes

  • § 3335 Holding Over Damages
  • § 1104 Property Transfer Easement Rights
  • § 1105 Presumed Fee Simple Grants
  • § 1106 After-Acquired Property Transfer
  • § 1107 Property Grant Conclusiveness

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 3333.
View Official Source