The Virgin Islands, particularly St. Croix, is known as a “high verdict” jurisdiction. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to obtain information about particular verdicts or compare the injuries in a particular case to the injuries that were associated with past jury verdicts. The information below is collected from numerous sources, including hearsay from other members of the bar. Thus, while it is deemed generally reliable, it should only be used as a guide and with the knowledge that all information may not be accurate. Further information about particular verdicts may be obtained by contacting our firm.

Date Verdict Type of claim Damages claimed Comments

8/2003 St. Croix

 0 Slip and fall on area being paved Unknown Defendant was local paving company
6/2002 St. Croix $1.0 million Wrongful dischargeby employerand defamation by second defendant Emotional distress Employer liable for $400,000; other defendant liable for $600,000. Settled before punitive damages phase of trial
2/2002 St. Croix 0 Sexual assault on beach near hotel Sexual assault and emotional distress Defendant was local hotel. Assualt did not take place on hotel property.
2/2001
St. Thomas		 $375,000 Premises liability – slip and fall Soft tissue back injury While post trial motion was pending, company entered bankruptcy

8/2000 St. Croix

 0 Premises liability – slip and fall Lower back and torn meniscus Jury found no negligence upon the part of Fortune 250 corporate defendant
10/2000
St. Croix
(Second trial)		 $3.4 million Premises liability – slip and fall Lower back pain with alleged nerve root entrapment at two levels; alleged economic losses of $975,000 While post trial motion was pending (over a year), company entered bankruptcy and case settled for pennies on the dollar.
10/1998
St. Croix
(First trial)		 $2.9 million as above as above New trial ordered based upon juror confusion over economic damages
8/1997
St. Croix		 $650,000 including $300,000 in pain and suffering Premises liability – slip and fall Soft tissue lower back Reversed on appeal due to erroneous admission of expert testimony; remanded for new trial. Defendant declared bankruptcy prior to new trial
4/2000
St. Croix		 $500,000 Premises liability – slip and fall Aggravation of pre-existing spondylol-
isthesis		 Settled and discharged in bankruptcy while post trial motion was pending.
7/1998
St. Croix		 $75,000 Premises liability – trip over cart Fractured wrist with testimony that it was permanent; no economic damages
5/1998
St. Croix		 $175,000 w/ 15% contrib. assessed against plaintiff Premises liability – slip and fall – industrial Torn rotator cuff with surgery to repair prior to trial Extenuating circum-
stances, including undisclosed pre-existing injury, probably kept this verdict low
1999
St. Croix
(Second trial)		 $75,000 Wrongful detention (shoplifting detention) Injury to reputation and psychological injury In first trial, jury found no wrongful detention but found defamation. Second trial was based upon defamation only
1997
St. Croix
(First trial)		 $80,000 Wrongful detention (shoplifting detention) Injury to reputation and psychological injury New trial ordered due to erroneous jury instruction
12/1997
St. Thomas		 $700,000 Premises liability – believed to be slip and fall Unknown Plaintiff presented evidence of economic damages alone that exceeded $700,000.
10/1997
St. Croix		 $650,000 (including $350,000 in economic) Premises liability – slip and fall Soft tissue lower back injury. Reversed on appeal and remanded for new trial (pending); plaintiff presented only $150,000 in economic damages, but jury awarded $350,000.
1997
St. Croix		 $1.173 million Premises liability Soft tissue lower back injury
1996
St. Croix		 $1.66 MM Premises liability – industrial Ulnar nerve injury
1995
St. Croix		 $1.1 million (including $567,000 for pain and suffering) Premises liability – industrial Fractured leg w/o hospital-
ization		 Post judgment motion granted and case then settled
1995
St. Croix		 $4.5 million Motor vehicle accident Bulging disc with no nerve root impingement Reversed by Third Circuit due to pretrial error; case then settled
1994
St. Croix		 $675,000 (including $25,000 for pain and suffering) Premises liability – industrial Two herniated discs with two back surgeries.
1993
St. Croix		 $375,000 Motor vehicle accident Badly broken leg Sole defendant at trial was an individual
Circa 1987
St. Croix		 $1.1 MM Premises liability – industrial Burn injury, including facial burns Remitted by trial judge to $575,000; case then settled while on appeal
1987
St. Thomas		 $900,000 Premises liability – slip and fall Soft tissue Trial judge remitted to $575,000; Third Circuit remitted further to $235,000
1987
St. Croix		 $317,000 Premises liability – industrial Soft tissue back injury Third Circuit remitted to $100,000
Circa 1985
St. Croix		 $400,000 Premises liability – slip and fall Broken wrist Trial court remitted to $165,000
Circa 1985 $1 million Medical malpractice Knee injury; no medical or lost earnings claimed Trial court remitted to $200,000
1984 $261,130 (by judge, not jury) (including $42,500 for pain and suffering) Distal fracture of wrist


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