Nuclear Verdicts®
The Rising Threat
of Nuclear Verdicts®
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!
November 14, 2022
Plaintiff was raped by a famous director/writer. Jurors awarded $7.5 million in compensatory damages and $2.5 million in punitive damages.
November 10, 2022
October 24, 2022 Plaintiff worked at FedEx. She made complaints about racial discrimination. Some time after the complaints were made, she was fired. Jurors awarded $365 million punitive damages, $1.04 million for future pain and suffering and $120,000 for past pain and suffering.
November 8, 2022
Plaintiff was rushed to the hospital after she passed out. Her blood sodium was extremely low when she arrived. Her attorneys alleged her doctors did not properly treat her low sodium, which led to continued sodium spikes. She suffered encephalitis after being in the hospital for seven days and ended up staying in the hospital for months. Jurors awarded $68 million, including $50 million for pain and suffering.
November 7, 2022
Plaintiffs, the family of decedent, sued after decedent was killed in a car crash. Decedent was the passenger in defendant's car. Defendant was driving more than 100 miles per hour at the time of the crash. In addition, defendant was intoxicated. Jurors awarded $51 million, including $25 million in punitive damages.
November 2, 2022
Plaintiff worked for FedEx. She reported discrimination to HR. At some time after that report, she was fired. She sued, alleging retaliatory firing and racial discrimination. Jurors found in defendant's favor on the discrimination claims, but on plaintiff's retaliation claim, jurors awarded $365 million.
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.
Presented by Courtroom Sciences, Inc. (CSI)
Featured: Bob Tyson
Presented U.S. Chamber Institute For Legal Reform
Featured: Bob Tyson
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.”
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 From Our Insights
TM HALO® Presents: Plaintiff’s Newest Tactics and the Pattern Driving Nuclear Verdicts®
Nuclear Verdicts®, outrageous and extreme jury awards, are increasing exponentially across the United States. Presenters, Bob Tyson, TM HALO® trial attorney, and author of the best-selling book Nuclear Verdicts®: Defending Justice for All, and Cayce Lynch, Administrative Partner, will discuss the formulaic pattern the plaintiffs’ bar follows to drive up Nuclear Verdicts® and how the defense can break the pattern to stop Nuclear Verdicts®.
I Registered the Term Nuclear Verdicts®.…
Carrier Management – August 10, 2022 Plaintiffs’ California dreamin’ became a reality when a Los Angeles jury…
What Makes a Verdict Go Nuclear?…
As Nuclear Verdicts®, defined as verdicts over $10 million, become more common, defense attorneys may be asking…
CA Tosses Another COVID-19 Coverage Suit,…
Courts across the country have overwhelmingly rejected insureds’ arguments they are entitled to COVID-19-related business interruption coverage.…
Viewpoint: Jury Blasts Defense with a…
Claims Journal – August 1, 2022 Plaintiffs’ California dreamin’ became a reality when a Los Angeles jury…
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