Prejudgment Interest Rules in Nevada

At a glance

Requirements one by one

Governing law and accrual

NRS 17.130(2) says a judgment "draws interest from the time of service of the summons and complaint until satisfied," when no other rate is supplied by contract, law, or judgment. The portion representing future damages begins only at entry of judgment. NRS 99.040(1) addresses money due on contracts, among other obligations, and starts interest "from the time it becomes due." Its enumerated categories and exceptions matter when choosing the contract route.

Rate and contract terms

Both sections use the prime rate at Nevada's largest bank, ascertained on January 1 or July 1 immediately before the relevant event, plus two percentage points. The relevant event is judgment under NRS 17.130(2) and the transaction under NRS 99.040(1); NRS 17.130(2) then calls for January/July adjustments until satisfaction. The Washoe County District Court's published table lists 8.75% for July 1 through December 31, 2026. The contract rate can differ if the parties set another rate in writing. NRS 99.050(1) also permits the parties to agree to compounding in writing.

Awards and government defendants

NRS 17.130(2) states that the judgment "draws interest" where its conditions are met; NRS 99.040(1) says interest "must be allowed" on covered money due. NRS 41.035(1) limits a covered tort damages award against Nevada government defendants to $200,000 per claimant, "exclusive of interest computed from the date of judgment," and excludes exemplary or punitive damages. The text expressly carves out interest computed after judgment; it does not separately carve out interest from before judgment.

What trips people up

The statutory rate is the same formula on both tracks, but the statutes select different dates for the rate and for the start of interest. A rate shown on today's court table is therefore not automatically the rate for an older transaction or judgment.

The offer-of-judgment penalty has its own timing. NRS 17.117(10)(a) bars the unsuccessful rejecting offeree from recovering interest "for the period after the service of the offer and before the judgment."

Common questions

Does a future-damages award earn interest before judgment? No. NRS 17.130(2) starts interest on that portion when judgment is entered.

Can a contract specify compound interest? Yes. NRS 99.050(1) requires the parties to specify their agreement to compounding in writing.

Statutes and sources

• NRS 17.130 — "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." Accessed 2026-10-06: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-017.html
• NRS 99.040 — "When there is no express contract in writing fixing a different rate of interest, interest must be allowed 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 the transaction, plus 2 percent, upon all money from the time it becomes due, in the following cases: (a) Upon contracts, express or implied, other than book accounts." Accessed 2026-10-06: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-099.html
• NRS 99.050(1) — "Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, parties may agree for the payment of any rate of interest on money due or to become due on any contract, for the compounding of interest if they choose, and for any other charges or fees. The parties shall specify in writing the rate upon which they agree, that interest is to be compounded if so agreed, and any other charges or fees to which they have agreed." Accessed 2026-10-06: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-099.html
• NRS 41.035(1) — "An award for damages in an action sounding in tort brought under NRS 41.031 or against a present or former officer or employee of the State or any political subdivision, immune contractor or State Legislator arising out of an act or omission within the scope of the person's public duties or employment may not exceed the sum of $200,000, exclusive of interest computed from the date of judgment, to or for the benefit of any claimant. An award may not include any amount as exemplary or punitive damages." Accessed 2026-10-06: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-041.html
• NRS 17.117(10)(a) — "If the offeree rejects an offer and fails to obtain a more favorable judgment: (a) The offeree may not recover any costs, expenses or attorney's fees and may not recover interest for the period after the service of the offer and before the judgment." Accessed 2026-10-06: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-017.html
• Washoe County District Court, Legal Interest Rates table — publishes the current semiannual rate; "add 8.75% (prime rate 6.75% plus 2%)" for July 1-December 31, 2026. Accessed 2026-10-06: https://www.washoecourts.com/TopRequests/InterestRates
• Gibellini v. Klindt, 110 Nev. 1201, 885 P.2d 540 (1994); Schoepe v. Pacific Silver Corp., 111 Nev. 563, 893 P.2d 388 (1995); Ramada Inns, Inc. v. Sharp, 101 Nev. 824, 711 P.2d 1 (1985) — citations verified via CourtListener (legalresearch tool), accessed 2026-07-05.