reptile theory News

COVID Impacts Linger in Courtrooms, Often a Disadvantage for Defendants

GARDEN GROVE, California — Courts have reopened and trials have resumed, but the impacts of COVID-19 continue to linger in the judicial system, a panel of claims litigation experts said during the Combined Claims Conference on Thursday. For one thing, …

Viewpoint: Jury Blasts Defense with a $464.5 Million Nuclear Verdict

Plaintiffs’ California dreamin’ became a reality when a Los Angeles jury went nuclear with a verdict of $464.6 million after an eight-week trial in June. The verdict included $24.6 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $440 million in punitive …

Prevent Runaway Jury Verdicts by Neutralizing the Reptile Theory: Viewpoint

We see the frequent headlines: A plaintiff is awarded millions of dollars in damages for a physical or emotional injury purportedly sustained at the hands of a small business or large corporation. While many applaud an injured plaintiff for holding …

Tips on Handling the Latest Bad Faith Trends

Institutional attack, reptile theory and rules of the road are three recent bad faith trends, according to Douglas Wood, partner and Insurance Group Practice leader for Morris, Polich and Purdy. Purdy, sat down with Claims Journal during the most recent …

What Adjusters and Carrier Counsel Need to Know About Reptile Advocacy

If you had a litigated file tank on you recently, it just might be the result of reptile advocacy. While not a new theory, the practice has taken the plaintiff’s bar by storm in recent years, said T. David Higgins, …