Episode 49
May 9, 2025
From $10,000 Offer to $130,000 Verdict, with Eric Chaffin and Justin Joseph
Episode Summary
“We’re big believers in looking at cases and trying to drive the value we believe they’re worth,” says Eric Chaffin about the $130,000 verdict he and Justin Joseph secured when the insurance company offered just $10,000. Host Brendan Lupetin explores how the trial partners transformed a “typical” meniscal tear case into a compelling human story. Using psychodrama techniques and focusing on the emotional impact of the injury, they convinced jurors to look beyond minimal vehicle damage and limited medical treatment to see the true impact on their “quintessential Pittsburgh” beer delivery driver client.
Produced and Powered by LawPods.
Episode Preview
- The client, a 58-year-old beer delivery driver, was injured when a garbage truck backed into his stopped vehicle, striking his knee against the dash and tearing his meniscus.
- Despite being an admitted liability case, the defense challenged causation, arguing the meniscal tear was age-related rather than traumatic.
- The attorneys used psychodrama to help their “stoic Pittsburgher” client better visualize and articulate his experience, strengthening factual and emotional aspects of his testimony.
- When the defense admitted liability just days before trial, the attorneys pivoted their strategy to focus exclusively on damages, emphasizing the human impact of the injury.
- A key defense mistake was continuing to challenge the client’s credibility even after admitting liability, allowing the plaintiff’s team to highlight the contradiction of “accepting responsibility” while simultaneously attacking their client.
- Despite the client having only six months of documented treatment, the jury awarded $30,000 for past pain and suffering and $100,000 for future damages, recognizing the ongoing impact of the injury.
Justin Joseph
Subscribe to Just Verdicts Podcasts
Refer a Case
Fill out the form below to refer a case.