What legal remedy can a private victim of illegal antitrust activity seek?

The correct legal remedy that a private victim of illegal antitrust activity can seek is treble damages. The Sherman Act, a key piece of antitrust legislation, provides that individuals or businesses harmed by violations of antitrust laws can sue for damages and potentially recover three times the amount of the actual damages incurred. This provision is designed to encourage private parties to enforce antitrust laws and to deter anti-competitive practices by increasing the financial risks associated with such behavior.

In antitrust cases, claiming treble damages serves not only to restore the victim's losses but also acts as a punitive measure against the wrongdoer. This can motivate private entities to take legal action when they have been harmed by practices such as price-fixing or monopolistic activities. The prospect of significant financial liabilities (i.e., paying three times the actual damages) dissuades potential violators and reinforces lawful competition in the marketplace.