Usually the lawsuit itself isn't considered damages. Maybe in this case he was awarded something, but usually it costs a ton. You get what you sued for awarded, but often nothing else. At 20 hours for self service, which isn't possible for most people to deal with properly, you're in for at least that plus court appearance fee... Maybe 500/hr from a lawyer all in starting... 10,000 minimum. This guy got his out of pocket costs covered and probably not all of them, but nothing for time.