Types of Verdicts

Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Cases Resulting in Large Monetary Awards

When people win civil lawsuits that award them large amounts of money, these cases may be reported in the news. Verdicts may be notable because a plaintiff is awarded millions of dollars or because a case involved a well-known company or product. However, even when verdicts do not make the news, plaintiffs may receive large amounts of compensation.

The amounts of money awarded through verdicts in personal injury or medical malpractice cases or other types of civil lawsuits are not always fully understood by the general public. Even though these amounts may seem excessive to some, the calculations that go into determining verdicts are meant to ensure that plaintiffs are properly compensated for their financial losses and other ways they have been affected. Understanding how people may be affected by different types of cases can provide some clarity when considering the amounts that plaintiffs may receive.

Large Verdicts in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Cases

A personal injury lawsuit may address a situation where a person or company caused someone else to suffer an injury, usually because of negligence. The injury victim can take steps to recover compensation that will address the effects that the injury has had on their life. These cases may include issues such as:

Car Accidents: When a person causes a collision through negligent driving, they may be held responsible for the injuries suffered by other people involved. The severity of car accidents can range from relatively minor collisions to devastating accidents. In high-speed accidents, people may suffer devastating injuries and disabilities, and the compensation they could receive may be as high as several million dollars.
Truck Accidents: While accidents between passenger vehicles can be serious, collisions between 18-wheelers or other commercial trucks and smaller vehicles can be especially devastating. In some cases, trucks may roll over or spill hazardous cargo, and people in multiple other vehicles or other bystanders may suffer harm. Because of the severe injuries that people may suffer in these situations, the amount of compensation awarded may be high.
Mass Transit Accidents: In situations where trains, buses, or planes are involved in accidents, a large number of people may be injured or killed. These accidents can cause harm to passengers, people in other vehicles, or others in the nearby area. In these cases, transit companies or government agencies may be required to pay large amounts of compensation.
Premises Liability: Injuries that take place when someone is visiting someone else's property can be severe, and the property owner may be held liable for their failure to protect the safety of visitors. When these cases involve collapsing balconies or other serious falls, malfunctioning equipment such as elevators or escalators, or fires caused by the negligence of a landlord or other property owner, victims may be eligible for high amounts of compensation.
Dog Bites: An attack by a dog may not always result in severe injuries, but in some cases, these incidents can be life-threatening, or they may result in scarring and disfigurement, nerve damage, or other forms of serious bodily harm. When a victim has experienced disabilities or has suffered severe emotional trauma, they may be able to recover significant compensation from the animal's owner.
Defective Products: There are numerous cases where manufacturers release faulty products, resulting in serious injuries to consumers. Defective auto parts may result in large-scale motor vehicle accidents. Defective medical products may cause damage to internal organs or disrupt bodily systems. Defective appliances may cause fires that result in injuries and property damage. People affected by the negligence of product manufacturers may be awarded significant amounts of compensation.
Misdiagnosis: When this form of medical malpractice occurs, patients may receive incorrect treatment, or their conditions may go untreated. These issues can lead to serious medical conditions, such as the progression of cancer that a doctor failed to diagnose correctly. The compensation patients may be able to receive in these situations can address both financial losses and the ongoing effects of a health condition.
Birth Injuries: Doctors, nurses, or hospital personnel may make mistakes during childbirth, leading to serious injuries for mothers or children. In some cases, these errors may lead to lifelong medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, and the costs of providing treatment and ongoing care may be millions of dollars or more. By receiving full compensation, a family can make sure they will be able to meet their needs.
Surgical Errors: When surgeons make mistakes during procedures, they can cause serious harm to patients, such as damage to internal organs or infections that affect a person's overall health. Patients who suffered harm because of surgical negligence may be eligible for large amounts of compensation.
Wrongful Death: When a person is killed because of someone's negligence, their family members may be compensated for their loss. The compensation in these cases can be significant, and it may address a family's loss of income and benefits as well as the loss of companionship and issues related to grief and emotional trauma.

Learn More About Monetary Awards in Civil Lawsuits

Jury Atlas provides information about large verdicts in civil cases. Get answers to frequently asked questions about these types of cases. Contact us to learn more.