There was a relatively large number of jury trials in the Circuit Court for Davidson County (Nashville), Tennessee in March, 2012. Here are the results
Automobile Cases
Health Care Liability Cases
The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office has released the data concerning tort jury trials in Nashville and Davidson County for February, 2012. "Tort" cases are civil lawsuits involving injuries, death or other losses from automobile accidents, truck crashes, fall-downs, medical malpractice, dog-bites, and any other type of event that causes injury or death
Only four tort cases were tried to juries in the entire month, and three of them were medical malpractice (now called "health care liability") cases. One of those cases was settled after jury selection and opening statements – the amount of the settlement was not disclosed. One health care liability case resulted in a mistrial and the other resulted in a verdict for the health care providers.
The only other trial was a personal injury case. The Court directed a verdict for the defense in that case, and thus a jury was not permitted to decide it.
There were only four personal injury jury trials in Nashville (Davidson County) Tennessee in January 2012.
One of the cases was a medical malpractice (health care liability) case. The case resulted in verdict the defendant health care provider.
Another jury trial was a malicious prosecution case. Once again, a jury verdict for the defense was entered.
There are several types of damages in wrongful death cases. If the case is successful, the survivor(s) can recover damages for medical bills, funeral expenses, loss of earning capacity (reduced by personal maintenance expenses) and loss of the loss, society and affection of the decedent.
For cases arising on or after October 1, 2011, damages for the "loss of love, society and affection of the decedent" are limited to $750,000. The only exception to this rule is if the decedent leaves a minor child. In that situation, the damages for "loss of love, society and affection of the decedent" are limited to $1,000,000.
There is no limit on damages in wrongful death cases in Tennessee for cases that arise before October 1, 2011.
Here are the results from the jury trials in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee Circuit Court in October 2011:
– 3 trials, two defense verdicts, one hung jury
– Settled after 6 days of trial
Here is a list of the number of jury trials in personal injury, wrongful death and other tort law trials in Tennessee for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 (the most recent year for which data is available):
Davidson County – 34
Montgomery County – 13
As a Tennessee personal injury lawyer, I try to keep up with the results of personal injury and wrongful death jury trials in Davidson County (Nashville) and other cities in Tennessee.
Here are the results of the personal injury trials in Davidson County, Tennessee during the month of September, 2011:
This information was collected by Clerk of Court.
I was hurt in a car wreck. The wreck was caused by a state employee driving at a very high rate of speed during work hours. The employee was working at the time of the wreck. The officer told me that the state employee’s conduct was reckless. Can I recover punitive damages in a claim against the State of Tennessee?
No. Tennessee law permits you to sue the State of Tennessee when one of its employees negligently causes a car wreck and resulting property damage and injuries, but claims for punitive damages are not permitted under any circumstances. This is true even if the conduct is reckless and you would have been able to collect punitive damages if the wreck had been asserted against a private individual.
Compensatory damages may be sought, but they are limited to $300,000 per person and no more than $1,000,000 per incident.
Does Tennessee have any limits on punitive damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases?
Yes, for all injuries and deaths that occur as a result of reckless or malicious acts on or after October 1, 2011.
Under the new law, punitive damages are limited to $500,000 or two times the compensatory damages awarded in the case, whichever is more. Punitive damages are not limited in cases involving those who cause harm while under the influence of drugs and alcohol and those who intend to cause physical injury. Punitive damages are prohibited in certain other types of cases.
My husband was killed in a wreck with a tractor trailer. It was not his fault. What is the minimum amount of money I can recover for his death in a lawsuit?
There is no minimum. The amount of damages that can be recovered depends on a multitude of factors. You can get some idea of the relevant factors by reading our legal guide, "Understanding Wrongful Death Cases in Tennessee."
Remember that under Tennessee law a wrongful death case must be filed in court within one year of the time your husband received injuries that resulted in his later death.
Tennessee Injury Law Center