Nuclear Verdicts® are jury awards that surpass $10 million. These excessive verdicts are driven by juror anger at defendants and typically include a noneconomic damages award that is grossly disproportionate to the economic damages awarded in the case. Nuclear Verdicts seek to “make an example” of the defendant. Fueled by the “Reptile Theory,” jurors use excessive damages awards to punish defendants and ostensibly “send a message” with the intent of preventing the type of harm in the case from recurring. Unfortunately, this does not result in justice…for anyone!
Tyson & Mendes tracks cases that resulted in Nuclear Verdicts®. Through these cases, we examine the increasing disconnection between liability claims and damages awarded by juries. The Nuclear Verdicts® Tracker is a representative sample of cases across a variety of legal practices which show how deeply pervasive the trend is for delivering a nuclear verdict. Each of the cases in the Nuclear Verdicts® Tracker was defended by another law firm; none of them used the Tyson & Mendes methods for defending against Nuclear Verdicts®; and all of them resulted in a verdict of more than $10 million. These Nuclear Verdicts® could have been stopped!
Plaintiff's husband was exposed to a window glaze that caused mesothelioma. Plaintiff's husband sued, but he died soon after, leaving his wife as his executrix. Jurors awarded $20 million, including $5 million for loss of consortium. Jurors also agreed there should be a punitive damage award.
Plaintiffs, the family of a four-year-old girl, sued after a car crash where a truck ran a red light and struck their car. The four-year-old girl passed away shortly after. Defendants were the truck driver and the company which owned the truck. Jurors awarded over $409 million.
Plaintiff worked at various branches of a hotel. She started as a server and became a food and beverage director. However, she was paid less than men in comparable positions. She sued. Jurors awarded $25.1 million.
After a pregnant woman was hit by a UPS truck, she and her family sued. The child suffered permanent brain damage. The truck driver had a history of drug use. Jurors awarded $75.3 million, including over $10 million in interest.
Plaintiff used makeup which led to her exposure to asbestos. She developed mesothelioma. Jurors awarded $29.14 million, including $20 million for pain and suffering.
Defendants are entitled to have a jury decide their case without being riled with anger and bias by creative plaintiff lawyers, which is why Tyson & Mendes is dedicated to changing the way Nuclear Verdicts® cases are defended. Through decades of trial wins, we have honed the Tyson & Mendes Methods for defending cases, and we broadly share our methods in interviews, podcasts, articles, and at conferences with the purpose of teaching the defense bar how to stop Nuclear Verdicts®.
“A transformational turning point for insurance professionals, corporate Risk Managers, insurance companies and defense Attorneys. This book should be required for any claims professional who is responsible for the resolution of liability claims, whether for an insurer or corporate client.”
“A transformational turning point for insurance professionals, corporate Risk Managers, insurance companies and defense Attorneys. This book should be required for any claims professional who is responsible for the resolution of liability claims, whether for an insurer or corporate client.”
Named after paratroopers that enter enemy territory and parachute into low altitude. This approach is adapted into our case handling, especially for the Nuclear Verdicts® that you need to resolve urgently through the use of seasoned attorneys.
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