What is the duty to take reasonable steps to minimize or avoid additional injury or loss?

• A. Mitigation of damages
• B. Compensatory damages
• C. Liquidated damages
• D. Injunction

Answer: (A)

Mitigation of damages is the duty to take reasonable steps to minimize or avoid additional injury or loss. After a loss occurs, you’re expected to act to limit further harm—like making temporary repairs, securing the property, or taking reasonable precautions to prevent additional damage. This keeps costs down and protects both parties from exaggerated claims.

This is the best choice because it describes a specific obligation to reduce losses, not the nature or amount of damages themselves. The other terms refer to different concepts: compensatory damages are the actual losses suffered, liquidated damages are pre-agreed sums in a contract, and an injunction is a court order. None of those describe the duty to actively minimize harm after a loss.