The first thing we are going to do, before we enter fully into the meaning of the term damaged that we now deal with, is to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can state that it is a word derived from Latin, exactly the result of the sum of several components of that language:
-The noun “damnum”, which is synonymous with “punishment” or “condemnation”.
-The verb “facere”, which can be translated as “do”.
Synonyms of damaged are affected, victimized, injured or harmed, etc. Moreover, among the anonymity of that term are intact, unscathed or even unharmed.
Damaged is an adjective used to qualify those who suffered significant harm. The term derives from the verb damage: cause damage (a detriment, an impairment or an injury).
For example: “The government announced that it will provide a subsidy to those affected by the floods”, “The intentional fire caused hundreds of families to be affected”, “The neighbor affected by the collapse asked the municipal authorities for help”.
According to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy, the victims are people who suffer a deterioration of collective character. If a flood occurs in a city, to name one case, the damage will be collective: there will be hundreds or thousands of victims. The same will happen if there is a high-intensity earthquake. In these cases, it is common for solidarity campaigns to collaborate with victims, collecting donations of non-perishable food, drinking water, clothing, etc.
When natural disasters occur, it is important to carry out as closely a record as possible of the number of victims. It is the way not only to know how many people have been harmed by these catastrophes but also the help, material and human, that is necessary to support them.
Specifically, this “count” of victims is included within what is known as disaster assessment. This is the set of actions that allow to determine the impact that this catastrophe has had as well as the immediate priorities and needs that exist to save the lives of people who have managed to survive, the possibilities of facilitating recovery and the resources available. This is how this will be possible to respond to this disaster in the most effective and efficient way possible.
In everyday language, however, the damaged adjective is often used even when there is only one injured person and the damage is not so severe. If a guy can’t get his car out of his garage because a garbage truck parked right at the door, he can be said to be a man affected by the situation.
In some legislations, there is the figure of the particular damaged. An individual who is offended by a crime that generates public action has the right to become a damaged individual. For this you must make a written presentation.