What is a quasi-delict, and how does it lead to damages?

Answer

A quasi-delict (culpa aquiliana) arises when a person, by act or omission, causes damage to another through fault or negligence, where there is no pre-existing contract between them (Civil Code Article 2176). Its elements are damage, fault or negligence, and a causal connection between them.

It is a principal source of obligations and the foundation of Philippine tort liability. The same act may give rise to both a quasi-delict and a crime. Damages can include moral damages and, where the defendant acted with gross negligence, exemplary damages (Article 2231).

Sources & further reading

• Civil Code Art. 2176 — quasi-delict
• Civil Code Art. 2231 — exemplary damages in quasi-delict
• Full report: moral, exemplary & nominal damages

Cases on this topic

• Domingo Imperial v. Venancio Ziga
• Gashem Shookat Baksh v. Court of Appeals
• Hometown Development, Inc. v. Union Bank of the Philippines
• Joaquina Ventura v. Eusebio Bernabe
• Local Government of Quezon City v. Sy
• Lourdes Munsayac v. Benedicta De Lara
• Michael C. Guy v. Raffy Tulfo
• Occena v. Icamina

Related questions

• What are moral damages under Philippine law?
• What are exemplary damages under Philippine law?
• What are nominal damages under Philippine law?
• Moral vs. exemplary vs. nominal damages — what is the difference?
• When can you recover moral damages for breach of contract?