additur

Additur is a process whereby a judge increases the amount of damages awarded by a jury . This can occur if the judge finds the jury’s award to be insufficient based on the evidence presented during the trial . Additur is typically offered as an alternative to a new trial, allowing the defendant to consent to the increased amount rather than face a retrial .

The Supreme Court held in Dimick v. Schiedt that additur violates the Seventh Amendment and is not permissible in federal courts ; however, some state courts do permit additur.

Compare: remittitur

[Last reviewed in February of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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