These damages are a small sum of money awarded to a plaintiff in a legal case where the plaintiff has proven a technical violation of their rights, but has not suffered any actual financial loss. The purpose is to acknowledge that the plaintiff’s rights were violated, even if no real harm resulted. For example, if a person technically trespasses on another’s property but causes no damage, a court might award a symbolic amount, such as one dollar.
The significance lies in vindicating the plaintiff’s rights and establishing a legal precedent. Although the monetary amount is trivial, the judgment can be important for confirming ownership or preventing future violations. Historically, such awards served as a declaration by the court that the defendant’s actions were unlawful, providing a basis for further legal action if the behavior persisted or escalated.