An injury is extinguished by the forgiveness or reconcilement of the party injured.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) When the injured party forgives the wrongdoer or the parties reconcile, the cause of action for the injury is extinguished and cannot be revived.

Where this applies

• Two neighbors who feuded over a fence line shake hands and agree to drop the matter — neither can later sue over the same fence dispute.
• A victim of a minor assault accepts the offender's sincere apology and tells the court she no longer wishes to press charges, extinguishing the civil claim.
• After a car accident, the injured driver and the at-fault driver settle privately and reconcile — the injured driver cannot later file a lawsuit over the same accident.