15 U.S.C. § 15a — Suits by United States; amount of recovery; prejudgment interest

This section is a single, undivided provision. Whenever the United States is injured in its business or property because of something the antitrust laws forbid, it can sue. It sues in the federal district court where the defendant lives, is found, or has an agent, regardless of the dollar amount at stake. If the United States wins, it recovers three times its actual damages, plus the cost of the suit. A court can also award simple interest on top of the actual damages, if the United States asks for it through a timely motion. This interest covers the period from when the United States filed its claim to when judgment is entered, or a shorter period. In deciding whether interest for that period is fair, the court can only weigh four things: (1) whether either side made meritless motions or claims meant to delay the case or acted in bad faith; (2) whether either side broke a rule, statute, or court order meant to prevent delay; (3) whether either side acted mainly to delay the case or increase its cost; and (4) whether awarding interest is actually needed to properly compensate the United States for its injury.