The term describes verdicts substantially disconnected from the proven damages, associated with reptile-theory advocacy, anchoring, and juror anger at institutional defendants.
It overlaps with the nuclear verdict phenomenon.
Alternative Names:
Runaway Verdict, Jury Runaway
Why it Matters?
The pattern is driven by advocacy directed at punishing rather than compensating, and the defense response operates at trial rather than post-trial, since remittitur is uncertain. Addressing the safety-rule framing directly, keeping the case focused on the plaintiff's actual injuries, and giving the jury a damages framework to work from are the countermeasures. Post-trial motions are the fallback rather than the plan.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What drives runaway verdicts?
Where does the defense response operate?
