These are a trivial sum of money awarded to a plaintiff in a legal case where a legal wrong has occurred, but there has been no substantial harm suffered. The purpose is to acknowledge the vindication of the plaintiff’s rights, even though no significant financial loss resulted from the defendant’s actions. For instance, if a trespass occurred on a property, but no damage resulted from the trespass, the property owner might be awarded a very small amount, such as one dollar.
Such awards serve as a symbolic victory for the plaintiff, establishing that the defendant did, in fact, commit a wrong. This recognition can be crucial in preventing similar future actions by the defendant or others. Historically, these awards have been used to establish legal precedents and clarify the boundaries of legal rights, especially in situations where the harm is difficult to quantify in monetary terms.