YOUR DUTIES AS A JUROR Recently Mallard Perez tried a case in Sarasota, Florida. The good news is– we won the case. The bad news is– due to juror misconduct we will probably have to try the case again. Why is that? Simply put, several of the jurors disregarded the courts instructions. Thus we wanted to put out an article on this issue so that everybody who reads this can understand the way Mallard Perez operates and the way that the legal system works. First let me tell you all– Mallard Perez DOES NOT SUE INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVERAGE TO COVER THEM FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE. I’ll explain why I have emphasized this fact below. Every lawsuit we file is covered by insurance. One of the instances of jury misconduct in our case was the jury speculating that since our case was so good that there had been a settlement with the defendants’ insurance company and that we were simply pursuing the defendant personally for further damages. In addition, the jurors disregarded several of the courts jury instructions. For example, they discussed the witnesses and their credibility before deliberation in violation of court rules, speculated about future medical advancements when there was no evidence of them, speculated about our clients’ ability to get health insurance in the future, and in the case of one juror refused to follow the legal burden of proof standard of “preponderance of the evidence” despite being ordered by the court to do so. Unfortunately, due to this juror misconduct, the successful verdict we obtained for our client will likely be thrown out and we will have to try the case again. Remember; if you are ever on jury duty please follow the instructions that the court gives you, do not speculate about facts outside of the evidence and know this, AT Mallard Perez, EVERY LAWSUIT WE FILE INVOLVES A DEFENDANT WHO HAS INSURANCE TO COVER THE CASE. A MESSAGE FROM DAMIAN MALLARD ON YOUR CASE REFERRALS, THEIR IMPORTANCE AND REFERRAL FEES... Mallard Perez is a referral based law firm. The majority of our clients are referred by other attorneys, other business people and former clients. We take great pride in this fact because it shows that we get results. That is why your personal injury referrals are so important to us. Rest assured that should you refer any type of personal injury case to Mallard Perez it will be handled with professionalism, excellence and personal attention. One of our attorneys is assigned to directly oversee each case referred to us and to be available to discuss the case with you or the client as needed. We are trials attorneys who have the experience, training, financial strength and fortitude to try cases where settlements cannot be accomplished for whatever reason. We also pay referral fees on every case referred to us. [1] All you have to is make the call and/or the introduction to the client. At any time during the handling of the case, we will be happy to update you on the case progress and/or expected time of resolution, be it through settlement or trial. Should you have any clients, family, or friends who need a personal injury attorney, we hope you will consider honoring us with the opportunity to represent them in their auto accident, slip and fall, child abuse, construction injury, nursing home neglect, medical malpractice, product liability or any other type of injury claim. [1] We pay referral fees of 25%, the fullest extent permitted by Florida Bar without involvement in the case from the referring attorney other than making the introduction. |