9. How Litigation Funding Influences the Length and Value of Lawsuits

6. Defending Against Reptilian Theory

Telling the defendant's story in a way that humanizes the corporation presents the case as a singular event to be judged on its own facts, rather than as part of a larger systemic issue.

1. What’s Driving the Increases in Nuclear Verdicts

Factors such as Reptilian Theory, social inflation, litigation funding, and advertising are influencing juries, contributing to the surge in nuclear verdicts—defined as verdicts exceeding $10 million.

2. Insurers Reassess Strategies as Nuclear Verdicts Shift Legal Landscapes

Insurers need to handle claims strategically, without being deterred by the possibility of a nuclear verdict, which can lead to inflated settlement values and hesitation to proceed to trial.

3. Reptilian Theory Exploits Jurors' Instincts

The theory suggests that jurors are influenced by their instinctive desire to protect their community or family, and thus may render large awards in cases as a deterrent for future misconduct.