"In Defense of Justice: Debunking the Myths Behind ‘Nuclear Verdicts’ and Corporate Accountability"
Chicago — Criticism of “nuclear verdicts,” a term often used by defense attorneys and corporations, has been mounting, with advocates arguing it undermines justice for injured victims. Robert Tyson’s recent piece stating these verdicts reflect a flawed jury process has drawn particular scrutiny for misrepresenting key facts. The 1994 McDonald’s hot coffee case remains a prominent reference point in this debate. An elderly woman suffered severe burns from coffee served at a temperature between 180 and 190 degrees—significantly hotter than typical home-brewed coffee. She was awarded $160,000 in compensatory damages, with punitive damages initially set … Read more