Verdict

$13.1 Million Verdict for Ultramarathon Runner After Devastating Fall on Seattle Sidewalk

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Seattle, WA — In a significant legal decision, a King County jury has awarded $13.1 million to Lesley Mettler Auld, a 53-year-old ultramarathon runner, who sustained severe injuries due to a fall on a faulty Seattle sidewalk in 2021. The verdict holds the city of Seattle and the owners of a nearby apartment building jointly responsible for the damages incurred. Mettler Auld, a professional fitness coach known for her endurance in ultramarathons—races extending beyond the standard marathon length—suffered this life-changing injury while traversing a treacherous patch of sidewalk in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. Her fall … Read more

Chiquita Brands International Faces $38.3 Million Verdict for Allegedly Financing Colombian Paramilitaries

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Apartado, Colombia — A Florida federal jury has found Chiquita Brands International liable for its financial backing of a notorious Colombian paramilitary group implicated in countless killings, marking a historic judgment against the global fruit conglomerate. The jury awarded approximately $38.3 million to the families of eight men killed by the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, or AUC, which received millions of dollars from Chiquita even after being designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2001. This landmark decision arrives nearly two decades after Chiquita admitted to making payments to the AUC and agreed to … Read more

Los Angeles Jury Orders Billionaire to Pay $900 Million in Landmark Sexual Assault Verdict

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Los Angeles — In a landmark decision for cases involving sexual misconduct allegations within corporate environments, a Los Angeles jury has handed down a $900 million award to a woman who accused businessman Alkiviades David, known as David Alki, of sexual harassment, assault, and rape. The verdict represents one of the most substantial in such cases, reflecting a serious stance against sexual misconduct by figures of authority. The case, which garnered significant attention, revolves around allegations from a former employee who worked under David as a production manager from February 2016 to April 2019. David, … Read more

Landmark Verdict: Florida Jury Holds Tobacco Giants Accountable for Smoker Illnesses in Historic 1999 Ruling

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Miami, FL — In a landmark decision on July 7, 1999, a jury in Miami-Dade County found major tobacco companies liable for the illnesses of several Florida smokers, marking a significant moment in legal and public health history. This pivotal case, originating from a class-action lawsuit filed in 1994, was the first of its kind to go to trial, setting a precedent for future tobacco litigation. The case highlighted the ongoing battle between public health advocates and tobacco companies over the impacts of smoking. The jury’s decision underscored the increasing legal challenges tobacco firms faced … Read more