A recent report by Marathon Strategies highlights an unprecedented surge in large jury verdicts, termed 'thermonuclear verdicts.' In 2023, a record 135 cases resulted in jury awards of over $10 million, with 49 surpassing $100 million. Key factors contributing to this trend include increasing corporate mistrust and an influx of younger jurors who are generally more pro-plaintiff. Industries most affected include products liability and intellectual property, with emerging risks identified in areas such as cybersecurity and cryptocurrencies. This indicates a significant shift in juror attitudes and societal perspectives on corporate accountability.
"Civil court juries want to punish companies like never before," said Phil Singer, the CEO and founder of Marathon Strategies, in a May 20 press release.
Big verdicts were most often issued in products liability and intellectual property cases.
Marathon's research identified corporate mistrust, social pessimism, erosion of tort reform and public desensitization to large numbers as among the most important factors.
The research also showed that an influx of millennial and Generation Z jurors could be affecting verdicts.
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