Can I sue someone for $1?

Asked by: Ms. Annie Kuhn  |  Last update: February 20, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (74 votes)

Yes, you can sue someone for $1, often through a claim for nominal damages, which acknowledges a legal right was violated (like in civil rights or defamation cases) even without significant financial harm, and sometimes to trigger fee-shifting statutes for attorney's fees. While small claims courts handle minor monetary disputes (like California's $12,500 limit), suing for $1 usually aims to establish a principle, as seen in celebrity cases like Taylor Swift's, where the symbolic $1 award affirms a wrong occurred and can lead to larger fee awards, notes University of Virginia School of Law https://www.law.virginia.edu/news/202110/article/court-just-awarded-1-it-victory-nominal-damages-explained.

Can I sue for $1?

The one dollar amount is significant because that one dollar can trigger a statute which awards the prevailing party fees and costs in certain areas of the law, including areas of civil rights law. These awards of attorney's fees and costs can often be quite large.

What is the minimum amount of money you can sue someone for?

There's no universal minimum amount to file a lawsuit; it depends on the court (Small Claims vs. Civil/Superior), but generally, small claims courts handle disputes for smaller amounts (e.g., up to $5,000 - $12,500 depending on the state, like California or Oregon), while larger sums go to civil court, with federal courts requiring over $75,000 for diversity cases. You file in small claims for simplicity and lower cost, but you must stay within that court's monetary limit, with some exceptions like landlord-tenant security deposits having no limit in some areas. 

Has anyone ever sued for 1 dollar?

Ultimately the jury ruled that Mueller had assaulted Swift at the 2013 meet-and-greet, awarding her $1, which was paid in the form of a Sacagawea dollar coin.

What happens if you sue someone with little money?

In California, a person's financial status does not remove their legal responsibility. If someone harms you, breaks a contract, or causes financial loss, you have the right to take legal action—regardless of whether they can pay. A successful lawsuit means the court agrees that the other party is liable.

Can You Sue Someone With No Money in a Lawsuit?

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Is it worth it to sue someone?

Suing can be worth it for accountability, to recover significant damages (like medical bills, lost wages, property damage), or when dealing with unfair insurance companies, but it's often costly, time-consuming (months to years), and emotionally draining, with no guarantee of winning. The decision hinges on proving clear damages, the defendant's ability to pay (a "judgment-proof" individual yields nothing), and whether the potential recovery outweighs legal fees, stress, and delays, with settlement often being the best outcome.
 

How to sue if you have no money?

Contingency means that your lawyer will agree to take on your case and represent you without requiring any payment upfront, allowing you to file a case with no money. Your lawyer will only receive payment for their services if and when you reach a positive resolution and some form of compensation in your case.

Did Taylor Swift sue someone for $1?

Swift counter-sued Mueller for assault and battery. The amount of damages she was seeking was $1 – her purpose was to prove a point. And prove a point she did. On August 14th, a jury ruled in Swift's favor, agreeing that Mueller had assaulted her and they awarded her $1.

Did Taylor Swift have a 4.0 GPA?

Yes, Taylor Swift had a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school, completing her junior and senior years early through homeschooling to focus on her music career, demonstrating strong academic performance alongside her musical success.
 

What's the easiest lawsuit to win?

Generally, dog bite cases (in strict liability states) and clear-liability car accidents are the easiest lawsuits to win. These cases often have straightforward evidence, clear negligence, and well-established laws backing plaintiffs.

How to win a small claims case?

To win in small claims court, you must meticulously prepare by gathering clear evidence (receipts, contracts, photos), organizing it logically, and preparing a concise, factual story with witnesses. Be punctual, dress professionally, address the judge as "Your Honor," stay calm, and present your case clearly, focusing only on facts, dates, and amounts to build credibility with the judge. 

What is the most expensive part of a lawsuit?

Trial Costs: The Most Expensive Phase

If a case proceeds to trial, costs escalate quickly due to courtroom preparation and extended attorney fees. Jury Fees: Some jurisdictions charge plaintiffs a fee to impanel a jury, which can range from $5 to $150, depending on the jurisdiction.

Can someone sue me for $1000?

Yes. A debt collector can sue you for any amount, whether it's $1,000, $10,000, or more. There's no legal minimum required for them to file a lawsuit. In fact, many debt collectors sue for small balances because the cost to file a lawsuit is minimal, especially when they do it at scale.

What to do if someone won't give you the money they owe you?

When someone owes you money and refuses to pay, start by sending a formal Demand Letter, then consider Mediation, and if needed, file a lawsuit in Small Claims Court, which is faster for smaller amounts, potentially leading to wage garnishment or bank levies after you win a judgment. Always gather your proof first, like texts, emails, or signed agreements, to show the debt's legitimacy. 

How much money is emotional distress worth?

Emotional distress is worth a highly variable amount, ranging from a few thousand dollars for "garden variety" distress (around $30k-$50k) to hundreds of thousands or even millions for severe, life-altering conditions like PTSD, depending heavily on documented medical evidence, impact on daily life, jurisdiction, and the specific facts of the case, often calculated using multipliers of medical bills or daily rates.
 

What is the smallest amount of money you can sue for?

There's no universal minimum amount to file a lawsuit; it depends on the court (Small Claims vs. Civil/Superior), but generally, small claims courts handle disputes for smaller amounts (e.g., up to $5,000 - $12,500 depending on the state, like California or Oregon), while larger sums go to civil court, with federal courts requiring over $75,000 for diversity cases. You file in small claims for simplicity and lower cost, but you must stay within that court's monetary limit, with some exceptions like landlord-tenant security deposits having no limit in some areas. 

Has anyone got a 6.0 GPA?

Yes, a 6.0 GPA has been achieved by students, but it's extremely rare and only possible in high schools with specific, heavily weighted grading systems that assign extra points for advanced courses like AP or IB classes, effectively creating a scale that goes beyond the traditional 4.0 or 5.0, with some students even reaching over 10.0 on unique scales.
 

What is Travis Kelce GPA?

TRENDING: Kansas City #Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce reportedly had a 2.7 GPA in high school. This is below average — The average GPA in the US is generally around 3.5 for most high school students. Despite this, Kelce has gone on to become of the greatest tight ends ever.

What GPA is top 1%?

A GPA in the top 1% generally means a near-perfect or perfect GPA, typically around 3.9 to 4.0 (or higher with weighted courses), often qualifying for the highest academic honor, summa cum laude, at many universities, though the exact number can vary by institution and class size. In high school, a 4.0 often places you in the top 2-5%, but achieving the very top percentile (1%) usually requires perfect scores or extremely high weighted scores from AP/IB classes. 

Who sued for $1?

When a radio host sued pop star Taylor Swift for defamation, Swift sued him back, winning $1 in damages. But there's a greater victory: having a jury affirm her claim as a victim of sexual assault. Lisa Desjardins talks about the case and its impact with Judy Vredenburgh, president of Girls Inc.

What did Eminem say about Taylor Swift?

Eminem has expressed significant respect for Taylor Swift, calling her "scary good" and the "future of lyricism" after seeing her rap "Lose Yourself," and used her in recent promos for his album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) to highlight his enduring impact versus artists with different eras, though some fans misinterpreted past lyrics as a diss. He famously included her in a diss track to elevate his target by comparing him unfavorably to pop figures like Swift, which he clarified was a compliment to her stature, not a slight. 

What has Taylor Swift said about Trump?

Taylor Swift has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, calling him a "narcissistic" leader who stokes "white supremacy and racism," and she publicly endorsed Kamala Harris over Trump in the 2024 election, citing his "chaos" and her support for Harris's policies on rights and body autonomy, further escalating her political involvement after regretting silence during the 2016 election. 

How to survive being sued?

How To Emotionally Survive a Lawsuit

  1. Understanding the Emotional Impact of a Lawsuit.
  2. Seeking Emotional Support.
  3. Maintaining Perspective and Realistic Expectations.
  4. Engaging in Self-Care Practices.
  5. Managing Financial Stress.
  6. Communicating Effectively With Your Legal Team.
  7. Educating Yourself About the Legal Process.

Is it worth suing someone for $500?

Suing for $500 can be "worth it" in small claims court, which is designed for smaller disputes and usually doesn't require a lawyer, but you must weigh filing/service fees (can be $20-$200+) and the opportunity cost of your time (prep, court) against the potential recovery; if your costs approach $500, it's often not financially sensible, but it might be worth it for principle or if the other party pays easily, says. 

What happens if you get sued but own nothing?

If someone sues you with nothing, they can still win a judgment, but collecting is hard; you become "judgment-proof" if legally protected assets/income (like minimum wage earnings or Social Security) exist, but creditors can place liens or garnish future wages/bank accounts once you do get money or property, meaning the debt and judgment can follow you for years. Ignoring the suit leads to a default judgment against you, making collection easier for the plaintiff.