$15,570,000 Verdict in Kia Trial --Probably will be Reduced
Here is the jury's verdict form in the near $16 million verdict against Kia Motors in federal court in Greenville on Friday. The verdict included $5,570,000 in economic damages and $10 million in non-economic damages. The non-economic award will presumably be reduced to $1 million due to Mississippi's statutory cap on non-economic damages.
From the form of the verdict it appears that the defect at issue in the trial was a faulty seat belt in a 2001 Kia Sportage. The injuries were to a minor named Jaleesa Willis and her mother Martha Willis was the plaintiff in the case on Jaleesa's behalf. The jury apportioned Kia 100% of the fault. The trial judge was Judge Allen Pepper.
