Even Latin must be left in order to find the etymological origin of the term detriment that now concerns us. Specifically, we can determine that it emanates from the word “detrimentum”, which in turn comes from the verb “deterere”, which can be translated as “spend by rubbing”.
Detriment is a slight or partial destruction of something. The concept, which comes from the Latin word detrimentum, also refers to loss or loss of interest and non- pecuniary damage.
For example: “Schools in poor condition contribute to the detriment of education”, “I will not make any decision to the detriment of the team”, “It seems that the manager works to the detriment of the company”.
The detriment, therefore, can be understood as a decrease, an impairment, a grievance or a loss. Something or someone who acts to the detriment of an interest causes damage, but does not eliminate or destroy it.
A person who decides to eat only fried foods will have made a decision to the detriment of his health. This type of diet will cause problems in your body and, little by little, it will become less healthy.
In a similar sense, an intendant or mayor who decides to raise taxes and authorize unjustified dismissals will be governing to the detriment of the workers, who will see their interests affected by the political measures.
In addition to all of the above, we would have to underline the existence of what has been called patrimonial detriment. It is a term that is used to record the loss, damage, improper use or even deterioration of public goods that has occurred and that translates into serious damage to the heritage of a country or a city.
Specifically, we can establish that this damage is fundamentally the result of the fact that the resources have been used for a purpose other than that for which they are intended or because they have not been administered in the most correct and efficient manner possible.
In this sense, we can also state that it is more common than it should be for municipal corporations from different corners of the planet to be studied and analyzed to see if they have been irresponsible in this regard. That is, if they have led to a situation of patrimonial detriment for not having correctly managed the resources or for having improperly used them.
In these cases, it must be stressed that if indications are obtained that they have indeed carried out that action, they will have to face processes where the fiscal responsibility they may have at all times will be settled.
For civil law, a damage is a detriment or injury that a person suffers due to the action or omission of another. The damage affects the interests, rights or assets of the victim.
This damage that generates the detriment can be caused by intent or negligence. Intentional damage is caused by intentional or malicious action, while culpable damage is caused by negligence or carelessness. If a person breaks the glass of a business with a stone, it is malicious damage, on the other hand, if the same breakage occurs because he leaves the car parked without brakes and enters the window, we are dealing with culpable damage.