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NRS 17.130 Computation of amount of judgment; interest.
1. In all judgments and decrees, rendered by any court of justice, for any debt, damages or costs, and in all executions issued thereon, the amount must be computed, as near as may be, in dollars and cents, rejecting smaller fractions, and no judgment, or other proceedings, may be considered erroneous for that omission.
2. When no rate of interest is provided by contract or otherwise by law, or specified in the judgment, the judgment draws interest from the time of service of the summons and complaint until satisfied, except for any amount representing future damages, which draws interest only from the time of the entry of the judgment until satisfied, at a rate equal to the prime rate at the largest bank in Nevada as ascertained by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions on January 1 or July 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding the date of judgment, plus 2 percent. The rate must be adjusted accordingly on each January 1 and July 1 thereafter until the judgment is satisfied.
[1911 CPA § 329; RL § 5271; NCL § 8827]—(NRS A 1979, 830; 1981, 1858; 1987, 940)
Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 17, Section 130

Plain English Explanation

Rounding Judgment Amounts. When a court orders payment (a judgment) for money owed, damages, or court costs, the amount must always be rounded to the nearest cent. Smaller fractions (less than one cent) are ignored, and leaving them out doesn’t make the judgment invalid.

Interest on Judgments. If a judgment doesn’t specifically mention an interest rate—and there’s no contract or other law defining it—interest must be paid on the judgment amount. Interest usually starts accumulating from the date the lawsuit papers (“summons and complaint”) were served on the defendant, continuing until the judgment is fully paid. However, any money awarded for damages that will happen in the future (called “future damages”) starts earning interest only from the date the judgment was officially entered by the court.

The interest rate used is based on the prime interest rate set by the largest bank in Nevada, plus an additional 2%. This prime rate is determined twice each year (January 1 and July 1), and the interest rate on your judgment is adjusted each time this prime rate changes, continuing until the judgment is completely paid off.

Overview of NRS 17.130

This Nevada statute governs how monetary judgments are calculated and how post-judgment interest is applied in Nevada courts. The statute serves two primary purposes:

Establishing standards for monetary calculations in judgments
Setting the framework for post-judgment interest rates when not otherwise specified

This statute is particularly important in personal injury cases in Nevada as it directly affects the final compensation amount plaintiffs receive and how interest accumulates on unpaid judgments. According to recent data from the Nevada Court Statistics Project, approximately 15% of civil cases in Nevada involve disputes over judgment calculations and interest rates.

Key elements of the statute

1. Monetary Calculation Requirements

Judgments must be computed in dollars and cents
Smaller fractions are to be rejected
Omission of smaller fractions cannot be grounds for error

2. Post-Judgment Interest

Applies when no other interest rate is specified
Interest begins accruing from the service of summons and complaint
Rate = Prime rate at largest Nevada bank + 2%
Adjusts semi-annually (January 1 and July 1)
As of July 2023, the current post-judgment interest rate in Nevada is 8.25%

3. Future Damages Exception

Interest on future damages only begins at judgment entry
Different treatment from other damages
Protects defendants from excessive interest accumulation

Practical application

Example 1: Personal Injury Settlement in Las Vegas

A car accident victim in Las Vegas wins a $100,000 judgment. With no specified interest rate:

Interest begins accumulating from the complaint service date
Current prime rate (5.5% as of July 2023) + 2% = 7.5% interest rate
Interest adjusts every six months until paid
After one year, if unpaid, the judgment could grow to $107,500

Example 2: Future Medical Expenses in Reno

In a severe injury case in Reno with $200,000 in future medical expenses:

Interest only begins when judgment is entered
Assuming the same 7.5% rate, after one year, this portion would grow to $215,000
Protects defendant from pre-judgment interest on future costs

Rampart Ins. Co. v. Vigil, 97 Nev. 124 (1981)

Established that post-judgment interest is mandatory
Clarified calculation methods for complex judgments

Paradise Homes v. Central Surety, 84 Nev. 109 (1968)

Confirmed court’s authority to award interest
Established precedent for interest calculation methods

Recent Case: Smith v. Nevada General Hospital (2022)

Reaffirmed the application of NRS 17.130 in medical malpractice cases
Highlighted the importance of distinguishing between past and future damages for interest calculations

Frequently asked questions of manner of giving and entering (NRS 17.130)

When does interest start accumulating on a personal injury judgment in Nevada?

Per NRS 17.130(2), interest begins accumulating from the date of service of the summons and complaint, except for future damages which accrue interest from the judgment date.

How often does the interest rate change in Nevada?

The rate adjusts twice yearly on January 1 and July 1, based on the prime rate at Nevada’s largest bank plus 2%.

How does NRS 17.130 affect settlement negotiations in Nevada personal injury cases?

The potential for accruing interest can incentivize defendants to settle cases more quickly, as delays can significantly increase the final amount owed.

Can the court deviate from the interest rate specified in NRS 17.130?

Generally, no. Unless a different rate is specified by contract or law, the court must apply the rate as calculated under NRS 17.130.

NRS 99.040 – General Interest Rates

Complements judgment interest provisions
Provides context for other types of interest calculations in Nevada law

NRS 17.120 – Entry of Judgment

Procedural requirements for judgment entry
Directly impacts when interest begins accruing on future damages

NRS 17.140 – Computing Time in Judgments

Related timing provisions for judgment execution
Influences how interest periods are calculated

If you’ve been involved in a personal injury case in Nevada and have questions about judgment calculations or interest rates, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced Nevada injury attorney. They can help you understand how NRS 17.130 applies to your specific situation and ensure you receive fair compensation.