Thomas H. Cohen, J.D., Ph.D.

November 1, 2004    NCJ 206240

Presents findings about tort cases disposed of by jury and bench trial in general jurisdiction courts in the Nation's 75 largest counties during 2001. Information from the Civil Justice Survey of State Courts is analyzed about types of tort cases and litigants, type of trial, plaintiff winners, compensatory and punitive monetary damages awarded to plaintiff winners, and case processing time. Analyses are presented describing trends in tort jury trials. Information on plaintiff and defendant post verdict activity at the trial court and appellate levels are also described.

Highlights include the following:

• Plaintiffs won in 52% of tort trials in 2001.
• The 7,218 tort jury trials disposed of in 2001 represents a 23% decline from 9,431 tort jury trials disposed of in these counties in 1992.
• Litigants filed notice of appeal to a State appellate court in 13% of tort trials disposed of in 2001.

Part of the Tort Trials and Verdicts in Large Counties Series

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