What must be shown for a private citizen to win a public nuisance claim?

For a private citizen to win a public nuisance claim, they must show a different kind of harm that is distinct from the general public's suffering. This is essential because public nuisance typically involves interference with a right common to the general public, such as health, safety, or property use.

To succeed in their claim, the private citizen needs to illustrate how they have experienced harm that is not merely a duplication of the harm suffered by the public at large. This could involve demonstrating that they faced unique circumstances or damages that set their experience apart, such as distinct harm to their property or specific personal suffering caused by the nuisance.

This requirement ensures that the legal system can appropriately address the balance between public interest and private grievances, maintaining a standard that distinguishes individual claims from collective public issues. By focusing on the special nature of the individual's harm, the law allows for valid claims while also protecting broader societal interests.