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!
June 2, 2022
Plaintiffs worked at a company with pervasive racism and sexual harassment issues. After reporting those issues, one of the plaintiffs was construcitvely terminated. Plaintiffs sued. Jurors awarded $464.6 million, including $440 million in punitive damages.
June 1, 2022
Plaintiff, who was bicycling down a road, was struck by an SUV. The SUV driver worked for a gentleman's club. Plaintiff sued, alleging crush injuries affecting his neck, shoulder, and chest. Jurors awarded $14.13 million, including $9 million for future pain and suffering.
May 20, 2022
Plaintiff, a veteran, sued defendant, an earplug manufacturer, claiming defendant failed to warn of issues with the earplugs and the earplugs failed to protect his hearing. Plaintiff suffered from hearing loss and tinnitus. Jurors awarded $77.5 million.
May 20, 2022
Plaintiff was injured playing indoor soccer. An orthopedic surgeon at the hospital suggested surgery. Plaintiff allegedly did not want the surgery. However, the surgeon performed the surgery, leaving plaintiff with severe pain. The pain continued long after his visit. He was later diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome. Plaintiff sued. Jurors awarded over $111 million.
May 18, 2022
May 18, 2022 Plaintiff sued his old high school, alleging sexual abuse by a tennis coach/PE teacher. Jurors awarded $10 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
Midsize Firm Tyson & Mendes Unveils High-Stakes Trial Subsidiary
Law.com The Recorder – July 21, 2021 San Diego-based midsize firm Tyson & Mendes has launched a new high-stakes trial business based out of the firm's offices. The newly created subsidiary, called TM HALO, is targeting the increasing threat and reality of nuclear verdicts—Jury verdicts in excess of $10 million—for its insurance clients.
TM HALO® Introduces Elite Trial Team…
Law 360 Pulse – July 14, 2021 Robert Tyson and Patrick Mendes established their firm, Tyson &…
Tyson & Mendes Launches New Subsidiary,…
SAN DIEGO (July 15, 2021) – Leading insurance and civil litigation defense firm Tyson & Mendes LLP…
How a Negligence Case Against the…
In July of 2020, a jury awarded the largest personal injury verdict ever against the state of…
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