Oakland County Circuit Court Verdicts Favor Defendants
Oakland County Circuit Court has historically been one of the most conservative courts in the state of Michigan. Juries tend to be tough on plaintiffs. When they do find liability adverse to a defendant, verdict amounts in Oakland County are typically lower than other jurisdictions.
The Oakland County Circuit Court verdict results for December, 2022 are fairly typical. The March 2023 Oakland County Bar Association journal LACHES reported that there were two (2) medical malpractice cases which went to jury trial in December 2022. They lasted three (3) and nine (9) days respectively. Both resulted in no cause verdicts. Four (4) auto negligence injury cases went to verdict. These trials resulted in three (3) no cause verdicts and a verdict for the defendant. Of the six (6) plaintiff personal injury cases tried to completion before the Oakland County Circuit Court in December, 2022, no verdict in favor of the plaintiff was entered.
Plaintiffs prefer the Wayne or Macomb County Circuit Courts; even the U.S. Federal District Court for the Southeastern District in Detroit. Circuit Courts in rural areas also tend to be conservative with their verdicts and verdict amounts. Understanding the tendencies of a jurisdiction where a significant personal injury case will be litigated requires careful consideration, experience, and knowledge.
About Alexander & Angelas, P.C.
Alexander & Angelas, P.C. represents defendants in civil liability litigation across Michigan and Northern Ohio. The firm’s practice areas include insurance defense litigation, premises liability, motor carrier (trucking) defense, corporate and commercial litigation, construction defect litigation, auto negligence, insurance coverage disputes, emergency casualty response services, alternative dispute resolution, subrogation claims, workers’ compensation, employment law, and liquor liability.
Attorneys practice in all state and federal courts in Michigan, including Wayne County (Detroit), Macomb County (Mount Clemens), Oakland County (Pontiac), Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor), and Genesee County (Flint). Legal services are also provided in Northern Ohio. Since its founding in 1992, the firm has litigated over 4,000 civil cases.
A 24/7 Emergency Hotline is available (800-219-0007) for trucking and insurance company clients. When an accident requires an immediate response to protect evidence, members of the firm quickly launch an investigation with the assistance of well-qualified accident investigators, crash re-constructionists, mechanical engineers, civil evidence photographers, and independent adjusters positioned throughout Michigan and Northern Ohio.
Alexander & Angelas, P.C. measures its performance based upon three key metrics: aging of claims, indemnity expense, and legal defense costs. The firm refuses to over-litigate cases merely to increase legal fees and strives to resolve matters within one year from initial case assignment.
Visit Alexander & Angelas online at https://www.alexanderandangelas.com/ for more information. Partner Peter A. Angelas is available to discuss a confidential matter.
