Awarded

$22.5 Million Verdict Awarded in Historic Wrongful Conviction Case in Naperville, Illinois

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Naperville, IL – In an unprecedented legal decision, a jury has awarded $22.5 million to a man wrongfully convicted of murder in Naperville, marking one of the largest wrongful conviction payouts in Illinois history. This landmark case casts a spotlight on the long-term consequences of investigative and legal missteps and prompts a closer examination of criminal justice reform. The plaintiff, who spent over two decades behind bars for a crime he did not commit, was exonerated after new evidence came to light, fundamentally altering the course of his life and raising questions about the integrity … Read more

Former Seattle Port Police Chief Awarded $24.2 Million in Wrongful Termination Suit

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Seattle — A multi-million dollar verdict has been handed down by a Washington state jury which found that the Port of Seattle is liable for the unlawful termination of its former police chief. The ex-chief, who led the port’s police department, was awarded $24.2 million following a six-week trial centered on his allegations of wrongful dismissal. The basis of the lawsuit stemmed from claims that the port dismissed the police chief after he raised concerns regarding illegal and discriminatory practices within the organization. The jury’s decision underscores significant repercussions for workplace retaliation and wrongful termination … Read more

Connecticut Man Awarded $9 Million After Sustaining Injury on Water Park Lily Pads

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Middletown, CT — In a significant verdict that underscores the safety obligations of amusement parks, a Connecticut man was awarded $9 million after sustaining serious injuries at a local water park. The incident, which took place at CoCo Key Water Resort in Waterbury, has raised questions about the safety measures and liability of leisure facilities. The plaintiff, James Hawthorne, a 46-year-old resident of Waterbury, encountered the injury in August 2017 while attempting to cross a water-based activity known as the “Lilypad Adventure.” This attraction required guests to hop across floating pads anchored by ropes. During … Read more

$700,000 Awarded to Seattle Protesters in Chalk Graffiti Civil Rights Case

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Seattle, WA — Four activists, detained after writing messages criticizing law enforcement on a barricade near a Seattle police station, have been awarded close to $700,000 as a jury found that their civil rights were breached. The award follows their arrest on New Year’s Day, 2021, in the aftermath of the widespread protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd. The jury determined that the arrest of Derek Tucson, Robin Snyder, Monsieree De Castro, and Erik Moya-Delgado was driven by retaliatory motives against their Black Lives Matter advocacy, violating their First Amendment rights. Each protester … Read more