What is a treble damages claim in an antitrust case?

A treble damages claim in an antitrust case is when a person or business is entitled to triple their damages, or three times the amount of money that they lost as a result of an antitrust violation. This type of claim is based on the antitrust law in Washington and most other states that allow for treble damages for economic loss. The purpose of treble damages is to both compensate the person or business for their loss, and also to act as a deterrent, punishing those who commit antitrust violations. Treble damages are only awarded in the most serious cases, when the violation is considered egregious, or excessively wrongful. When a person or business makes a claim for treble damages in an antitrust case, they must prove three things; first, that the antitrust violation caused them economic harm; second, that the harm was significant; and third, that the actions taken by the defendant were deliberate or reckless. In some cases, an expert economist is called in to testify in order to prove that the harm was significant. Once a treble damages claim has been made, the court will award the plaintiff at least three times the value of their lost profits, plus any additional damages they may have suffered. The court may also award punitive damages and attorney’s fees in some cases. A treble damages claim is a powerful tool for those seeking to recover losses from antitrust violations.

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What is a treble damages claim in an antitrust case?

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