Back By Popular Demand Nuclear Verdicts Defense Institute logo Learn More

The Rising Threat
of Nuclear Verdicts®

More than ever, juries are being incited to anger by the plaintiff’s bar’s evolving trial tactics. It is this anger driving a trend toward Nuclear Verdicts®, a rising threat now with courts resuming jury trials following COVID-19 closures. Tyson & Mendes’ Nuclear Verdicts® Resource Center is a hub for legal insights and analysis related to stopping Nuclear Verdicts® and taking back justice for all.
Track Nuclear Verdicts® Explore TM Halo

What Are Nuclear Verdicts®?

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!

The Nuclear Verdicts® Tracker

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!

March 17, 2023
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.

March 17, 2023
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.

March 16, 2023
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.

March 6, 2023
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.

March 3, 2023
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.

Defending Justice for All

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®.

The Litigation Psychology Podcast – Episode 8
Presented by Courtroom Sciences, Inc. (CSI)
Featured: Bob Tyson

ILR Summit 2020: The Wide Angle: Dynamics of Today’s Nuclear Verdicts
Presented U.S. Chamber Institute For Legal Reform
Featured: Bob Tyson
Robert Tyson
Learn the methods for preventing Nuclear Verdicts
Libby Evans
Senior Examiner - Broodspire

“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.”

Learn the methods for preventing Nuclear Verdicts
Libby Evans
Senior Examiner - Broodspire

“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.”

Nuclear Verdicts Book

eBook & Hard Copy
AVAILABLE NOW!

Buy on Amazon
Need to order in bulk?

Learn From Our Insights

Nuclear Verdicts

New Trial Granted in Florida After $12 Million Nuclear Verdict® in Fatal Fall Suit

In a case that originally resulted in a Nuclear Verdict®, the defense was successful in its appeal, which highlighted multiple issues throughout the trial including improprieties during plaintiff’s counsel’s closing argument...
4 weeks ago
TM Halo Logo

The Elite Legal Team
Ready to Face Nuclear Verdicts®

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.

Request Consultation Visit Our Website