Nuclear

"In Defense of Justice: Debunking the Myths Behind ‘Nuclear Verdicts’ and Corporate Accountability"

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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

From McDonald’s to Starbucks: The Shocking Rise of ‘Nuclear Verdicts’ and What It Means for Justice in America

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Los Angeles, California — A pivotal case from 1994 established McDonald’s as a focal point in discussions around the American legal system and tort reform. Stella Liebeck famously received a $2.9 million award after suffering burns from hot coffee purchased at the fast-food chain, igniting a national debate over runaway jury verdicts in America. Almost three decades later, another high-profile verdict involving a major corporation has reignited these conversations, this time with Starbucks at the center. Recently, a Los Angeles jury ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million after a delivery driver suffered severe burns from … Read more

Georgia’s Legal Landscape Faces Crisis as ‘Nuclear Verdicts’ Drive Up Costs and Job Losses

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Atlanta, Georgia – Recent findings from the American Tort Reform Association reveal that hefty court verdicts exceeding $10 million are having a detrimental impact on Georgia’s economy, driving up costs for consumers and threatening jobs. The report identifies Georgia as the fourth state in the organization’s “Judicial Hellholes” ranking, indicating a troubling trend in excessive jury awards that have prompted many businesses to settle lawsuits for substantial amounts. One case highlighted in the report involved a $50 million verdict in DeKalb County related to dental malpractice. A patient claimed she experienced severe pain following a … Read more

Record-High $14.5 Billion in Nuclear Verdicts Challenges U.S. Restaurant Industry; Calls for Improved Safety Protocols and Insurance Strategies Surge

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In recent years, the phenomenon of nuclear verdicts, where juries award damages exceeding $10 million, has seen a significant rise in the United States. These colossal sums, which reached an all-time high of over $14.5 billion in total awards in 2023, pose a grave threat to the sustainability of businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector. Defined as judgements substantially higher than what would be typically awarded in similar cases, nuclear verdicts are not confined to one industry or incident type. They can stem from incidents as varied as disputes in restaurant parking lots to serious … Read more