“Quantum meruit” is a Latin phrase meaning “for services rendered.” It means what someone has earned or deserves. This is a claim to recover (get back) damages (something you’ve lost) on a contract, where the contract was not yet completed, and its terms are unenforceable. However, the parties conducted themselves in a way that created a relationship contractual in nature.
Where unjust enrichment (unfair gain) can be proven, a quantum meruit claim may also be made. An example is where the deceased promised to pay for a service, but passed away before he was able to do so.
The claimant can ask the court to be either compensated (paid) for their service or for the court to enforce the deceased’s promise.
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