The landscape of U.S. product liability litigation has become an increasingly hostile environment for defendants. Over the past decade, the phenomenon of “nuclear verdicts” (jury awards topping $10 million) has escalated dramatically in both frequency and magnitude. Compounding this challenge, the has been a rise in sophisticated plaintiff funding mechanisms and an increase in punitive damages awards that are far beyond compensatory awards. A robust, proactive defense strategy is no longer optional for businesses operating in this high-stakes environment; it is an absolute strategic imperative.
