WWTBAM Bored

We've just gotten the biggest verdict in a long time in one of our national cases and it took place down it the boonies in Bainbridge GA. Chrysler got hit with a $150 million judgment when the gas tank in a Jeep exploded and a four-year-old boy was killed. I doubt the total amount of the verdict will stand on appeal (if the case isn't settled), but this story is really giving our company (and my Georgia section) a boost.

I've got my own big case, a railroad collision, starting Monday as well.

http://blog.cvn.com/chrysler-smacked-wi ... fire-trial

Just found out that CNN and CBS will be showing one of our clips from the trial on their news reports (and of course crediting us for the footage). This is really a boost for us.

I saw the news story on TV. Did your coverage cause the national news to report it?

You should cover medical malpractice in Texas because tort reform ($250,000 max) has limited cases that lawyers will take on. IMHO, this contrasts with this verdict and how tort reform can go too far and most people won't ever get a dime when a doctor commits malpractice. ( I know this case isn't medical malpractice, but the contrast of awards between 2 states is worth noting.)

geoffil wrote:I saw the news story on TV. Did your coverage cause the national news to report it?

You should cover medical malpractice in Texas because tort reform ($250,000 max) has limited cases that lawyers will take on. IMHO, this contrasts with this verdict and how tort reform can go too far and most people won't ever get a dime when a doctor commits malpractice. ( I know this case isn't medical malpractice, but the contrast of awards between 2 states is worth noting.)

The networks were well aware of this; this case is the first one of its kind to go to trial (earlier cases based on this defect settled). The plaintiff's firm issued a press release shortly after the verdict to the news media.

We choose national cases based on interest among the legal community and how easy it is to get cameras into courts in different states. It varies state by state. Georgia and Florida are fairly easy; New York is almost impossible. We have covered a couple of Texas trials in the past.

By coincidence, this Monday's episode of Castle was about a similar subject.