The Billion Dollar Verdict

Bernard Tully Personal Injury Lawyer. Phone: 412-281-8700

What drives huge verdicts in wrongful death cases? The recent case where a jury awarded a staggering billion-dollar verdict in the tragic death of an 18-year-old prompts us to explore the factors that lead to such substantial awards. Join me as we dissect the elements that can drive a wrongful death case to a massive verdict.

The Unprecedented Billion-Dollar Verdict

In the legal world, a billion-dollar verdict is exceptionally rare. This specific case involved an 18-year-old who lost his life after being rear-ended by a trucking company. The jury, in an unprecedented move, delivered a billion-dollar verdict. Let us explore the pivotal factors that led to this extraordinary decision.

The Driving Force: Jury Outrage and Defendant Conduct

What sets cases like these apart is the level of outrage or anger the jury feels toward the defendants and their actions. In wrongful death cases, especially those resulting in massive verdicts, it is not merely the loss of life that drives the award but the egregious conduct of the defendants.

In this particular case…

Texting While Driving

The evidence revealed that the truck driver, responsible for the wrongful death, was texting at the time of the accident. This dangerous behavior heightened the jury’s emotional response.

Autopilot Speeding

Shockingly, the truck driver had the speedometer on autopilot, meaning he was not actively monitoring his speed. This lack of attention to the road and surroundings contributed to the severity of the accident.

Impact at 70 MPH

Adding to the jury’s outrage, the truck was on autopilot at a speed of 70 mph, and the driver only applied the brakes half a second before impact. This combination of factors created a situation that the jury found inexcusable.

Qualifying the Rarity

While billion-dollar verdicts are exceedingly uncommon, it underscores the significance of the defendant’s conduct in driving such decisions. Wrongful death cases, by nature, involve profound tragedy, and juries may be more inclined to deliver substantial awards when faced with horrible actions by the responsible parties.

Advocates for Your Wrongful Death Case

At Tully and Tully, we comprehend the emotional complexities involved in wrongful death cases. With over 45 years of experience, we have managed numerous wrongful death cases, seeking justice for grieving families. Whether you are in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Butler, New Kensington, or anywhere in Pennsylvania, we are here to discuss your case.

Our main focus is honesty. We always preach it. We are passionate about trying to help any injured person or family member with their case. Questions about the blog? CALL US!

Bernard Tully Allegheny Wrongful Death Lawyer. Phone: 412-281-8700 and 1-800-518-0050