Tort Trials and Verdicts in Large Counties, 2001

摘要

Torts accounted for nearly two-thirds of the estimated 12,000 tort, contract, and real property cases disposed of by bench or jury trial in State courts of general jurisdiction in the Nation's 75 largest counties in 2001. A tort involves one party alleging injury, damage, or financial loss stemming from the negligent or intentional acts of another party. During 2001 over 90% of tort trials were decided by a jury, while judges adjudicated less than 10% of these cases. Plaintiffs won in about half of all tort trials and were awarded a total of about $2.3 billion in compensatory and punitive damages. Half of all plaintiff winners in tort jury and bench trials received damage awards of $27,000 or more. Appeals to a State intermediate appellate court or court of last resort were filed in 13% of tort trials disposed of in 2001.