Latest jury verdicts, settlements, and legal outcome analysis
An eight-member federal jury found NYC Smoke Shop & Grocery Corp. and Abdo M. Saleh liable for counterfeiting Stündenglass trademarks. The jury found that only the corporation acted willfully. It awarded GS Holistic, LLC $180,000 in statutory damages.
A federal jury in Oklahoma found truck driver Wilayat Hussain and Chandi 209 Trucking, Inc. liable after a March 2024 nighttime crash at or near W. Reno Avenue and Frontier Drive. Plaintiff Aldin Lewis suffered a cervical fracture and faced possible fusion surgery. The jury assigned 95% of the fault to Defendants, awarded $4.5 million in actual damages, and found Chandi liable for negligent entrustment, and found that it acted in reckless disregard of others' rights. A second phase added $3.5 million in punitive damages. The Court later denied Defendants' post-trial motion in full.
A federal jury in the Middle District of Pennsylvania found that Keystone RV Company breached its warranty on a 2022 Montana High Country fifth wheel. Plaintiff Tamara J. Kirby alleged a structural defect raised the front bedroom floor and that months of warranty repairs failed. The jury found she properly revoked acceptance and awarded $98,967.90 under the state consumer protection law. The Court later doubled that award to $197,935.80 and directed entry of Judgment that also included $129,889.60, plus costs and attorney fees.
A federal jury in Massachusetts sided with UMass Memorial in a former compliance executive’s religious discrimination lawsuit over the health system’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Debra Nedder lost her job in December 2021 after an exemption committee denied her religious exemption request. Jurors found UMass Memorial Medical Center was her employer but concluded she failed to prove a sincerely held religious belief that conflicted with the vaccination policy. That finding ended deliberations, and the Court entered Judgment for both UMass Memorial entities.
Lisa Pousson sued Lianna D'Andrea and several entities after a golf cart accident at the Resort at Massey's Landing in Delaware. Pousson alleged she was ejected from the rear of a golf cart during a U-turn on September 4, 2021. She claimed negligent driving, negligent entrustment, inadequate supervision, and premises liability. She claimed injuries including traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and spinal damage. The jury found that D'Andrea, Sun Communities, and Blue Water Hospitality Management were not negligent. Pousson received no damages award.
A federal jury in the Southern District of New York found Port Authority Trans Hudson Corp. 95% at fault for a track worker's left foot injury. Eduardo Williams, a Trackman 1, alleged that a third rail fell on his foot during tie work in Newark, New Jersey. He sued under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. Jurors awarded $4,280,000 for lost earnings and pain and suffering on August 20, 2026. After stipulated liens and a 5% reduction for contributory negligence, the Court entered Judgment for $4,252,720.50.
Dr. Haiying Huang sued the University of Texas at Arlington over alleged discrimination and retaliation. A Northern District of Texas jury found for Huang on several employment-related questions and awarded $75,000 in damages.
A Southern District of New York jury awarded $2,417,000 to a former WPIX-TV entertainment anchor who alleged the station terminated her in retaliation for complaining about race discrimination. The jury found that WPIX would not have ended Ojinika Obiekwe's employment absent her complaints. It awarded $1,137,000 in compensatory damages and $1,280,000 in punitive damages.
A federal jury found Northwest Arkansas Hospitals liable for sex discrimination against surgical technician Efrin Chavez after doctors restricted his participation in certain labor and delivery procedures. The jury awarded Chavez $5,000 in compensatory damages and $100,000 in punitive damages.
A federal jury in Portland found that Nike paid former engineer Heather Hender less than male employees and promoted her more slowly because of her sex. The jury awarded $19,739.52 under the Federal Equal Pay Act, plus $7.5 million in Title VII punitive damages and $7.5 million under Oregon law.
