A defense verdict results when the jury finds the plaintiff failed to prove an essential element, that the defendant was not negligent, or in comparative fault jurisdictions that the plaintiff's fault exceeded the statutory threshold.
It does not always end the matter, since post-trial motions and appeals may follow.
Alternative Names:
Verdict for the Defendant, Zero Verdict
Why it Matters?
Defense verdicts matter beyond the individual case, particularly for repeat defendants and their carriers, because they establish that a firm and a defendant will actually try cases. That reputation affects how future demands are calibrated. Tracking defense verdict rates by firm is also standard in panel counsel evaluation, though the metric is only meaningful alongside case selection, since a firm that tries only strong cases will post better numbers.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Does a defense verdict end the case?
Are defense verdict rates a good measure of counsel?
