damages multiplier

A damages multiplier is a factor used to increase the initial amount of damages awarded in a legal case, often to reflect the severity or egregiousness of a defendant's behavior. Instead of simply awarding a set amount, a judge or jury may apply this multiplier to account for factors like gross misconduct or especially harmful actions. For example, if the initial damages are $100,000 and the multiplier is 2, the final award would be $200,000. This approach helps ensure that damages better represent the actual impact and the need for deterrence.