Wednesday, November 18, 2009

follow-up to preparation for a civil trial

Well the jury came back. The plaintiff had approximately $500 in medical bills and approximately $3000 in time missed from work. The jury came back with $5,200. The doctors fees for testifying were probably $1500 which the plaintiff must pay. The attorney's fees were probably 40% which would be $2080 which would leave the plaintiff a net of $1620 (assuming that his medical expenses had already been paid). The pretrial offer was higher than the verdict. The plaintiff would not have had to pay the doctors fees in the pretrial verdict. The plaintiff would have netted at least double the amount he got a trial.

This is only one case so it would not be fair to extrapolate some general lesson other than if you go to trial you gamble with the results.

No comments: