Lesion is defined as the inadequacy of cause, such as when the price for a thing sold is insufficient. It can also be described as an injury that one party suffers by virtue of a disadvantageous contract.

Effect on Contracts

Generally, lesion or the inadequacy of price does not invalidate a contract. However, it may serve as evidence of fraud, mistake, or undue influence.

Relevance for Rescission

Contracts suffering from lesion may be rescissible in specific circumstances, such as those entered into by guardians in behalf of wards or by representatives in behalf of absentees, where the latter suffer lesion by more than one-fourth of the value of the things which are the object thereof. Rescission can also occur in contracts undertaken in fraud of creditors. Lesion alone, while generally not invalidating a contract, can be a ground for rescission when specified by law.