Months after mounting medical bills and lost wages, it can be tempting to cut your losses and take the insurance company’s offer, even when your gut tells you it’s too low. At Alderson Law, Greenville trial verdict attorney Ryan Alderson has built a reputation for knowing when to fight and when to negotiate. Ryan Alderson’s strategic approach to high-value personal injury cases has helped clients secure verdicts far exceeding initial settlement offers.
The Anatomy of Million-Dollar Verdicts
Million-dollar personal injury cases are separated from six-figure settlements by certain characteristics. The economic impact of these cases extends far beyond the scope of immediate medical expenses. While no outcome is guaranteed in a trial, significant verdicts are often built around cases with:
- Catastrophic injuries. Catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or multiple fractures with permanent disability create the foundation for many substantial verdicts. These cases typically involve severe, life-changing injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long-term care.
- Lost earning capacity. Lost earning capacity becomes a significant factor when injuries prevent someone from returning to their previous profession or working at full capacity. For instance, a 35-year-old construction worker who suffers a back injury may face decades of reduced income, creating substantial financial losses that settlements rarely adequately address.
- Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering damages in high-value cases reflect the accident's profound impact on quality of life. When someone loses the ability to enjoy hobbies or maintain independence, juries often award significant compensation for these intangible losses.
- Future medical expenses. Future medical expenses represent another crucial component of million-dollar verdicts. Insurance companies typically underestimate these costs, while Alderson Law can work with medical professionals to project realistic future expenses.
They may also involve “wilful, wanton, or reckless” conduct that results in punitive damages under South Carolina Code of Laws Section 15-32-200.
When Settlement Offers Fall Short
For some injury victims, the shorter timeline and guaranteed settlement compensation outweigh the possibility of a higher verdict. Alderson Law will never pressure a client to go to trial if it is simply not the right choice for their case.
However, in many instances, settlement offers seem reasonable, but they fall far short of a case's actual value. You need an experienced Greenville trial verdict attorney by your side to help you respond to the following red flags:
- Low-ball initial offers. Low-ball initial offers serve as anchoring points that influence negotiations. Even when insurance companies increase their offers, they often remain well below what juries might award, simply because they began so low.
- Pressure tactics. Pressure tactics are designed to hit you when you’re already down. In a personal injury case, you may not be up to standing up to an insurance adjuster who tells you that you won’t get a penny more from a trial. As an experienced former prosecutor, Ryan Alderson knows how to spot a bluff and when to say no to a company’s efforts to force a quick settlement.
- Time constraints. It is not strictly illegal in South Carolina to settle a case before you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). Insurance companies know this and know that if they let you wait and heal properly, they risk being on the hook for complications that can arise and delays in your recovery. Pressure to settle too soon can lead to you taking an offer that purposefully sidesteps the question of how you will return to work and afford any changes in your lifestyle due to the accident.
Finally, the defendant's behavior during and after the incident can significantly influence whether a case should go to trial. Particularly dangerous conduct, like drunk or distracted driving, may anger jurors and lead to higher verdicts. Insurance companies know this and will fight tooth and nail to keep these kinds of claims out of the courtroom.
Ryan Alderson's Strategic Approach to Greenville Trials
Where other trial attorneys might back down from a courtroom fight, our firm has seen the strategic advantages of not being afraid to litigate. Ryan Alderson is a former prosecutor who has spent years honing his courtroom instincts and the ability to scramble the status quo during trial. At Alderson Law, we believe:
The Trial Begins Long Before You Step Into the Courtroom
Effective trial advocacy requires meticulous preparation and strategic planning. This can include:
- Reviewing medical records
- Accident reconstruction
- Preparing for witness interviews, including hostile witness prep
- Researching the defendant's history for similar incidents
- Finding supporting case law
A thorough investigation often reveals factors that can increase your case’s value.
Connecting With Medical Experts Adds Context
Medical testimony is crucial in educating juries about injuries, treatment requirements, and long-term prognosis. The right medical professionals can explain these concepts in terms that jurors understand and demonstrate why settlement offers fail to provide adequate compensation.
Communication Is Key With the Jury
One of the main advantages of going to trial is that juries approach these cases differently than insurance adjusters. Whereas insurance adjusters are under pressure to protect their bottom line, juries tend to focus on fairness and accountability rather than minimizing corporate costs.
How damages are presented has the power to influence jury decision-making significantly. For instance, visual evidence, such as day-in-the-life videos from our clients, can help a juror understand the injury's impact.