Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any party in any civil action may inform the jury of the amount of damages sought by the plaintiff in the opening statement or closing argument, or both. The plaintiff may request an amount which is less than the ad damnum in the motion for judgment.

Terms Used In Virginia Code 8.01-379.1

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.

1988, c. 321; 1993, c. 615.