Plaintiff Trial Lawyer Tips

The factors that influence people serving on juries have changed as a result of COVID-19 and media coverage of national politics. Trial lawyers should be aware of the studies and research documenting these changes of influence in their jury selection preparation. One motivating factor, in particular, that stands out for the majority of juror groups is concern for safety. In an article “The Rise of Safety’s Is Influencing Verdicts” https://imslegal.com/articles/safetyism-influencing-verdicts, it is pointed out: “With technological and medical advances, humans…

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There have been a number of studies and publications by the defense and insurance interests about the trend of large verdicts commonly labeled by them as “Nuclear Verdicts. The information is of interest to plaintiff lawyers. Here are some examples of this kind of information. https://www.propertycasualty360.com/2023/07/21/what-are-nuclear-verdicts-and-why-are-they-occurring/ Nuclear verdicts are a relatively new phenomenon in the insurance industry. The term “nuclear verdict” refers to any court award or settlement that is higher than expected, but legal experts officially define a “nuclear…

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I believe it is Important to prepare well for jury selection. The focus should be on the critical issues in the case. A brief outline can help remind you of the areas that need to be inquired about. What follows is an outline from an actual trial held in Snohomish County, which resulted in a record damage verdict. The case involved A man and his wife who had immigrated from India twenty years before. They both were dressed in traditional…

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