what are nominal damages

Nominal damages are a small sum of money awarded to a plaintiff to commemorate the fact that they won their civil case in court. They are awarded when a plaintiff proves that their legal rights have been violated but does not demonstrate that they are entitled to receive monetary compensation. Unlike compensatory damages, which are intended to compensate for injury, nominal damages are awarded to commemorate the plaintiff’s vindication in court. Nominal damages are usually a trivial sum of money, and in most instances, the amount awarded is $1. However, some jurisdictions hold that nominal damages can vary based on the context of the case, and in Fisher v. Barker, the court held that the plaintiff was entitled to nominal damages of $100. Nominal damages are awarded to affirm the plaintiff’s rights, and the mark of that affirmation is the dollar. Nominal damages are useful for certain purposes, such as establishing liability or vindicating a legal right, even if the plaintiff has not suffered substantial losses.