A quasi-contract arises to prevent unjust enrichment when there is no contract. What is the typical remedy?

A quasi-contract arises to prevent unjust enrichment when there is no contract. What is the typical remedy?

• A. Specific performance.
• B. Quantum meruit (reasonable value) for services or benefits conferred.
• C. Punitive damages.
• D. Rescission.

Answer: (B)

When there’s no contract but one party has benefited at the expense of another, the law implies a quasi-contract to prevent unjust enrichment. The typical remedy is restitution in the amount of the reasonable value of the services or benefits conferred, known as quantum meruit. This approach focuses on paying for the value of what was provided, not on enforcing a promise or punishing wrongdoing. The aim is to restore the injured party to the position they would have been in if the benefit had not been received. Specific performance would require a binding contract and is not used in a situation lacking one. Punitive damages are reserved for certain wrongs designed to punish misconduct, not for restoring value when no contract exists. Rescission deals with undoing the terms of a contract, which isn’t applicable when no contract ever formed.

When there’s no contract but one party has benefited at the expense of another, the law implies a quasi-contract to prevent unjust enrichment. The typical remedy is restitution in the amount of the reasonable value of the services or benefits conferred, known as quantum meruit. This approach focuses on paying for the value of what was provided, not on enforcing a promise or punishing wrongdoing. The aim is to restore the injured party to the position they would have been in if the benefit had not been received.

Specific performance would require a binding contract and is not used in a situation lacking one. Punitive damages are reserved for certain wrongs designed to punish misconduct, not for restoring value when no contract exists. Rescission deals with undoing the terms of a contract, which isn’t applicable when no contract ever formed.