Not every loss produces an injury.

Explanation

Loss alone does not give rise to a cause of action; there must be a violation of a legal right before the law provides a remedy.

Where this applies

• A small bakery loses customers when a popular new bakery opens across the street — the first bakery suffered a real financial loss, but no legal right was violated because competition is lawful, so there is no actionable injury.
• A homeowner's property value drops because the neighbor paints his house an ugly color — the homeowner has experienced a loss in value, but no legal right has been infringed, so the law provides no remedy.
• A job applicant is passed over in favor of a more qualified candidate and loses the income she expected — she suffered a loss, but the employer violated no legal duty in choosing someone else, so the loss does not produce a legal injury.