Back injuries account for 35% of all Missouri workers' compensation claims, yet many injured workers settle for far less than they deserve. The average settlement for a back injury in Missouri ranges from $20,000 for minor strains to over $500,000 for severe spinal damage with permanent disability.
The Biggest St. Louis County Lawsuits and Verdicts Ever
St. Louis County has historically been known for high-profile and high-value verdicts, particularly in cases involving product liability, medical malpractice, personal injury, and wrongful death. Below is a general overview of notable verdicts and settlements in the region, though not exhaustive or ranked:
Notable St. Louis County Verdicts and Settlements
$4.69 Billion - Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Case (2018) - 22 women alleged that Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder products caused ovarian cancer. This was one of the largest verdicts in U.S. history, though it was later reduced on appeal.
$72 Million - Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Case (2016) -A St. Louis jury awarded $72 million to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer linked to talcum powder use. This verdict was also later overturned on appeal.
$110 Million - Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Case (2017) - A Virginia woman was awarded $110 million after claiming that Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder caused her ovarian cancer.
$358 Million - Husch Blackwell vs. Automotive Manufacturers (2013) - A breach of contract case involving automotive parts suppliers resulted in one of the largest commercial verdicts in Missouri history.
$42 Million - Rexair LLC vs. Bissell Inc. (2016) - A patent infringement case involving vacuum cleaner technology led to this significant verdict.
$55 Million - Monsanto PCB Contamination Case (2016) - Three plaintiffs were awarded $55 million in a case alleging that Monsanto's PCBs caused non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
$17.5 Million - Medical Malpractice Case (2015) - A St. Louis County jury awarded $17.5 million to a child who suffered brain damage due to medical negligence during birth.
$20 Million - Wrongful Death Case (2014) - A jury awarded $20 million to the family of a man who died due to a defective product.
$10 Million - Trucking Accident Case (2017) - A commercial trucking accident resulted in a $10 million verdict for the plaintiff.
$9.5 Million - Premises Liability Case (2018) - A property owner was held liable for failing to maintain safe conditions, leading to a $9.5 million verdict.
$7.5 Million - Medical Malpractice Case (2019) - A jury awarded $7.5 million to a patient who suffered permanent injuries due to surgical errors.
$5.5 Million - Asbestos Case (2017) - A mesothelioma victim was awarded $5.5 million in a case against an asbestos manufacturer.
$4.5 Million - Pharmaceutical Case (2016) - A plaintiff was awarded $4.5 million in a case involving a defective drug.
$4.2 Million - Product Liability Case (2015) - A defective product caused severe injuries, resulting in a $4.2 million verdict.
$3.5 Million - Wrongful Death Case (2018) - A family was awarded $3.5 million after a loved one died due to negligence.
$3.2 Million - Medical Malpractice Case (2017) - A jury awarded $3.2 million to a patient who suffered complications due to a misdiagnosis.
$2.9 Million - Workplace Accident Case (2016) - A worker injured on the job was awarded $2.9 million in damages.
$2.5 Million - Premises Liability Case (2019) - A slip-and-fall accident led to a $2.5 million verdict.
$2.3 Million - Product Liability Case (2018) - A defective product caused injuries, resulting in a $2.3 million verdict.
$2.1 Million - Trucking Accident Case (2017) - A commercial trucking accident resulted in a $2.1 million verdict for the plaintiff.
Key Notes
Many of these verdicts, particularly in the talcum powder cases, were later reduced or overturned on appeal.
St. Louis County has been a hotspot for mass tort litigation, particularly against large corporations like Johnson & Johnson and Monsanto.
The amounts listed are based on publicly available information and may not reflect final settlement amounts or post-appeal adjustments.
Challenges in Compiling a Definitive List
Many large verdicts are later reduced on appeal or settled for confidential amounts.
Verdicts are spread across various practice areas, making it difficult to rank them uniformly.
Some cases may involve confidential settlements, limiting public information.
If you need specific details about a particular case or area of law, consulting legal databases like Westlaw, LexisNexis, or local court records would be more effective. Additionally, law firms specializing in personal injury or commercial litigation in St. Louis often publish case highlights on their websites.
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