Jury Verdicts & Settlements

Latest jury verdicts, settlements, and legal outcome analysis

Jury Rejects Ex-Compliance Chief’s Religious Vaccine Claim

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.

Negligence

Lisa Pousson Loses Golf Cart Injury Jury Trial

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.

Personal Injury

Jury Finds PATH 95% at Fault in Trackman's Foot Injury Case

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.

Employment Discrimination

Professor Wins $75K in Title VII Retaliation Jury Verdict

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.

Wrongful Termination/Employment

Jury Awards $2.4M in WPIX Workplace Retaliation Case

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.

Employment Discrimination

EEOC Wins $105,000 Sex Discrimination Verdict

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.

Employment Discrimination

Jury Awards $15M in Punitive Damages in Nike Pay Bias Case

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.

Personal Injury

Jury Awards $88 Million Over Symbotex Hernia Mesh

A Massachusetts federal jury awarded $88 million to an Alabama man and his wife over a Symbotex hernia mesh implant. The jury found Covidien liable for negligent failure to warn, an innocent false statement, and concealment.

Negligence

Jury Awards Mischkas $19.3M in Steel Warehouse Case

A jury in Porter Superior Court awarded $18,500,000 to Brian Mischka after a breaker bar struck his foot during a steel loading operation at Steel Warehouse of Burns Harbor, LLC. The jury assigned 0% fault to Brian and 100% fault to Steel Warehouse. Wendy Mischka received $800,000 on her loss of consortium claim.

Premises Liability

Nora Garcia Wins $3.77M+ Premises Liability Verdict

Nora Garcia won a $3,773,873 jury verdict after a Los Angeles County jury found PCL Construction Services, Inc. negligent. The case arose from a 2024 trip and fall at Orange High School in Orange, California. Jurors assigned PCL 65% of the responsibility for her harm.