An additur is a legal term referring to the practice of a trial

Trial

A trial is, in the most general sense, a test, usually a test to see whether something does or does not meet a given standard.It may refer to:*Trial , the presentation of information in a formal setting, usually a court...

 judge

Judge

A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...

 adding damages additional to the original amount awarded by the jury

Jury

A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...

. It is not allowed in U.S. federal courts, as held by Dimick vs. Schiedt, 293 U.S. 474 (1935),. Some American states

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, however, allow the practice, including California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

 (See, e.g. Fisch vs. Manger, 24 N.J. 66 (N.J. 1957)). It is the opposite of remittitur

Remittitur

A remittitur is a ruling by a judge lowering the amount of damages granted by a jury in a civil case. Usually, this is because the amount awarded exceeded the amount demanded...

, which is allowed in federal law. Although this is a rarely used procedure, it is usually granted for punitive damages when it is used in state courts.