Treble Damages
A statutory provision allowing courts to triple the amount of actual damages as a penalty, common in antitrust and RICO cases.
Encyclopedia entry: Treble Damages
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treble damages
Treble damages are a legal remedy where, in certain cases, the court is required to award the plaintiff three times the amount of actual damages determined by the jury . This remedy is often specified in statutes and is typically awarded in cases where the defendant ’s actions are deemed particularly egregious . Treble damages serve as a deterrent to wrongful conduct and aim to compensate the plaintiff for losses that may be challenging to quantify. See Cohen v. De La Cruz, 523 U.S. 213 (1998) .
[Last reviewed in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.