A quasi-contract remedy is best described as which of the following?

A quasi-contract remedy is best described as which of the following?

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

Answer: (C)

Quasi-contract remedies are about preventing unjust enrichment when no contract exists or can be enforced. The remedy is to award the reasonable value of the benefits conferred, which is called quantum meruit. This focuses on restoring what the benefited party is rightfully owed for the work or goods provided, even in the absence of an agreement. Specific performance would require a contract and compels someone to fulfill contractual duties, so it isn’t appropriate when there’s no contract. Rescission undoes a contract, not a situation arising without one. Punitive damages punish wrongful conduct and aren’t tied to the value of the benefits conferred. The idea here is to compensate with the fair value of what was conferred to prevent unjust enrichment.

Quasi-contract remedies are about preventing unjust enrichment when no contract exists or can be enforced. The remedy is to award the reasonable value of the benefits conferred, which is called quantum meruit. This focuses on restoring what the benefited party is rightfully owed for the work or goods provided, even in the absence of an agreement.

Specific performance would require a contract and compels someone to fulfill contractual duties, so it isn’t appropriate when there’s no contract. Rescission undoes a contract, not a situation arising without one. Punitive damages punish wrongful conduct and aren’t tied to the value of the benefits conferred. The idea here is to compensate with the fair value of what was conferred to prevent unjust enrichment.