mitigation of damages doctrine
mitigation-of-damages doctrine. The principle requiring a plaintiff, after an injury or breach of contract, to make reasonable efforts to alleviate the effects of the injury or breach. • If the defendant can show that the plaintiff failed to mitigate damages, the plaintiff’s recovery may be reduced. — Also termed avoidable-consequences doctrine. [Cases: Damages 62. C.J.S. Damages §§ 46–52, 168.]