Jury Awards Up 7 Percent in 2001

NU Online News Service, March 24, 1:46 p.m. EST?Jury awards increased slightly in 2001, according to a litigation data publication.

Overall, the median average jury award for all types of cases increased 7 percent in 2001, the last full year for which statistics are available, according to Current Award Trends in Personal Injury--2002 Edition, published by Horsham, Pa.-based Jury Verdict Research

The median average dollar award rose to $51,573 in 2001, from $48,200 in 2000, Jury Verdict said.

Among other median average figures, which follow, Jury Verdict reported that products liability awards remained the highest of the type of awards studied, although they decreased 15 percent to an average of $1,500,000 in 2001, compared to $1,775,000 in 2000.

Medical malpractice verdicts were second highest, holding steady at $1,000,000--no change from the prior study. Malpractice plaintiffs won only 39 percent of their cases--about the same as the previous year's 38 percent.

"Our med mal statistics leveled off this year," said David Boxold, editor of the study. "While plaintiffs are still compensated with million-dollar awards in some cases, the majority lose their jury trials and never receive a dime."

Awards for premises liability showed the highest increase--to $125,025 in 2001, up 15 percent from 2000. Vehicular awards went up only 1 percent, to $17,601 from $17,495.

Special Reports /

Jury Awards Up 7 Percent in 2001

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