ADJ

considerable, enormous, great, serious, severe, substantial, untold
minor, slight
extensive, widespread
irreparable, irreversible, lasting, long-term, permanent
The incident did permanent damage to relations between the two countries
criminal, malicious, wilful
He was prosecuted for criminal damage to a vehicle
accidental
The insurance policy covers the building for accidental damage
emotional, environmental, mechanical, psychological, structural
brain
She suffered serious brain damage at birth

VERB + DAMAGE

cause, do, inflict
The earthquake caused widespread damage to property. They inflicted severe psychological damage on their opponents
suffer
repair
prevent

PREP

~ by
The palace suffered extensive damage by fire in 1825
~ from
Crops are sprayed with chemicals to prevent damage from insects
~ to
lasting damage to the environment

PHRASES

the cost/value of the damage
The cost of the damage is estimated at around $2 billion
the extent of the damage
At the moment it is difficult to assess the extent of the damage

ADJ

heavy, substantial

VERB + DAMAGE

incur, suffer
damages incurred by the unfairly sacked workers
claim, seek, sue (sb) for
He decided to sue the company for damages
assess
The court will assess the damages
apportion, award (sb)
pay (sb)
obtain, receive, recover, win
be liable for, be liable in (law)
If goods are lost in transit, the carrier will be liable for damages

DAMAGE + NOUN

action, claim
A woman is to bring a civil damages action against the men she alleges murdered her son
award

PREP

in ~
They are claiming £45 million in damages
~ for
He received damages for personal injury
~ of
She was awarded damages of £90,000

PHRASES

an action/a claim for damages
The judge upheld her claim for damages against her former employer