17
Feb 2017
Trial Methods February Pulse Survey Results
Trial Methods set out to take the pulse of the public by questioning jury-eligible people across the country about their attitudes pertaining to litigation in 2017. Respondents were from geographically, politically and demographically diverse regions and asked a series of questions online. The results of the survey follow:
LAWSUITS VS. CORPORATIONS
Percent Agree | |
---|---|
Plaintiffs often exaggerate their claims in order to increase damage awards | 74% |
Making corporations pay big jury awards is the best way to make them follow the law | 69% |
If a case makes it to trial it is likely there is some truth to the plaintiff’s claims | 59% |
It would be difficult for me to deliver a jury verdict that meant an injured party would receive no money | 53% |
If you heard about allegations of corporate misconduct which would you be most likely to believe? | Percent Agree |
---|---|
The corporation did something wrong | 59% |
Someone is trying to get some easy money | 41% |
Generally do you think individuals who file lawsuits are: | Percent Agree |
---|---|
Trying to place responsibility where it belongs | 64% |
Refusing to take responsibility for their actions | 36% |
Do you agree or disagree with the idea of awarding punitive damages? | Percent Agree |
---|---|
Strongly agree | 29% |
Tend to agree | 57% |
Tend to disagree | 14% |
Strongly disagree | 0% |
CORPORATION VS. CORPORATION
Percent Agree | |
---|---|
Companies frequently sue other companies for bad business deals | 73% |
A company will break a contract if it thinks it can get away with it | 72% |
CORPORATE ETHICS
Percent Agree | |
---|---|
Corporations are more unethical today than they were 5 years ago | 58% |
Juries should punish corporations for unethical conduct even if that conduct was legal | 45% |
EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION
Percent Agree | |
---|---|
We need to strengthen laws against employer discrimination in this country | 66% |
How common is race discrimination on the job in the U.S.? | Percent Agree |
---|---|
Very common | 17% |
Common | 48% |
Uncommon | 32% |
Very uncommon | 3% |
How common is gender discrimination on the job in the U.S.? | Percent Agree |
---|---|
Very common | 21% |
Common | 44% |
Uncommon | 29% |
Very uncommon | 6% |
INSURANCE
Percent Agree | |
---|---|
Insurance companies will do anything they can to avoid paying claims to their policy holders | 72% |
POLICE
Percent Agree | |
---|---|
Recent media coverage of police shootings has been slanted against the police | 71% |
Police officers think they are above the law | 48% |
It is common for a police officer to use excessive force | 43% |
I worry about my loved ones being injured by a police officer | 28% |
VISUALS
Percent Agree | |
---|---|
If I served as a juror I would hope for visuals to accompany the arguments | 82% |
If I served as a juror I would expect visuals to accompany the arguments | 75% |
When learning about a new concept how important are visuals? | Percent Agree |
---|---|
Very important | 64% |
Somewhat important | 35% |
Not at all important | 1% |