US: Antitrust data shows vital role of private actions: The Hill

According to The Hill, the recently released 2018 Antitrust Annual Report found that private antitrust lawsuits settled in federal courts since 2013 have recovered US$19.3 billion on behalf of victims of antitrust violations, with settlements in 2018, alone, totaling US$5 billion.

The report, produced by the University of San Francisco School of Law and Huntington National Bank, demonstrates that many billions of dollars are lost by US consumers and small and other businesses to criminal antitrust conspirators. Private antitrust lawsuits are the primary way victims receive compensation for their losses and provide a strong deterrent to future wrongdoing.

The US system relies heavily upon private enforcement to compensate victims and hold violators accountable. But a recent Supreme Court decision (American Express v. Italian Colors Restaurant) would allow corporations that violate antitrust laws to insulate themselves from private lawsuits by inserting forced arbitration clauses and class action waivers into their contracts.