Day on Torts
Here are some of the most recent statistics concerning tort claims and trials in the Tennessee court system for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015:
- There were 9777 tort filings in state court, with 9695 tort cases concluded. Only 339 of those cases were tried to a judge or jury.
- There were 356 health care liability actions filed, with 346 such cases concluded. Only 28 of those cases were tried.
- Only 3.7% of all tort and health care liability dispositions were resolved by a trial.
- There were only 183 jury trials in torts cases.
- Of the 367 total trials, only 116 resulted in an award of damages. Total damages awarded was just under $47,000,000.
- There were 7 damage awards of $1,000,000 or more in the entire state.
- There were 14 damage awards between $100,000 and $1,000,000.
- There were 99 damages awards under $99,999. (Think about the average award in those cases, and consider how many of these can be considered “wins” by the plaintiff.)
- The largest award of the year was a $30,000,000 verdict in Shelby County.
- In the past seven years, the number of cases being disposed of by trial has decreased by almost 40%, from 608 to 357.
- There were 42 jury trials and 11 non-jury trials in Davidson County, 26 of which resulted in an award of damages.
- Shelby County had 30 jury trials and 35 non-jury trials. Damages were awarded in 32 of those cases.
More thoughts on this data in the coming days.