Drew Eckl & Farnham partner and Chair of the Appellate Practice group, Elissa Haynes, was recently featured in an article published by the American Bar Association, “Costly Collisions: A Small-Town Personal Injury Case Sends a Powerful Message to the Trucking Industry.” The article discusses the recent rise in popularity of nuclear verdicts, which are “multimillion-dollar damages verdicts significantly higher than expected given the injuries in the case, generally in excess of $10 million,” specifically within the trucking and transportation industry.
“We are seeing a significant portion of verdicts that are out of proportion,” [Haynes] says. “Juries are not understanding the true value of money. It’s like Monopoly money.”
Aba Journal, Costly Collisions: A small-town personal injury case sends a powerful message to the trucking industry
It highlights the case of Duane Washington, which resulted in a nuclear verdict described as “likely the highest amount ever for such a case.” Haynes provides perspective on the impact an appellate lawyer may have sitting in during trials, “to help identify objectionable and emotionally charged statements as well as to preserve issues for appeal,” especially for organizations hoping to avoid nuclear verdicts.
Read the full article to learn more.