29
Jan 2019
Trial Methods January 2019 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 at the outset of 2017. Respondents were from geographically, politically and demographically diverse regions and asked a series of questions online. The same survey with the same methodology was administered in January of 2018 and January of 2019 to different respondents to see how attitudes have shifted. Given last year’s spate of high profile sexual misconduct allegations, some additional questions were included that were tracked this year and will be tracked in the future. The results of the 2017, 2018 and 2019 surveys follow. Feel free to reach out to me if there are any additional questions you would like me to include in future surveys.
LAWSUITS VS. CORPORATIONS
2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Plaintiffs often exaggerate their claims in order to increase damage awards | 74% | 66% | 63% | -3% |
Making corporations pay big jury awards is the best way to make them follow the law | 69% | 66% | 81% | +15% |
If a case makes it to trial it is likely there is some truth to the plaintiff’s claims | 59% | 58% | 61% | +3% |
It would be difficult for me to deliver a jury verdict that meant an injured party would receive no money | 53% | 55% | 56% | +1% |
If you heard about allegations of corporate misconduct which would you be most likely to believe? | 2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
The corporation did something wrong | 59% | 74% | 74% | 0% |
Someone is trying to get some easy money | 41% | 26% | 26% | 0% |
Generally do you think individuals who file lawsuits are: | 2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
Trying to place responsibility where it belongs | 64% | 80% | 80% | 0% |
Refusing to take responsibility for their actions | 36% | 20% | 20% | 0% |
Do you agree or disagree with the idea of awarding punitive damages? | 2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
Strongly agree | 29% | 21% | 31% | +10% |
Tend to agree | 57% | 69% | 52% | -17% |
Tend to disagree | 14% | 9% | 17% | +8% |
Strongly disagree | 0% | 1% | 0% | -1% |
CORPORATION VS. CORPORATION
2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Companies frequently sue other companies for bad business deals | 73% | 65% | 64% | -1% |
A company will break a contract if it thinks it can get away with it | 72% | 79% | 77% | -2% |
CORPORATE ETHICS
2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Corporations are more unethical today than they were 5 years ago | 58% | 61% | 52% | -9% |
Juries should punish corporations for unethical conduct even if that conduct was legal | 45% | 53% | 52% | -1% |
EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION
2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
We need to strengthen laws against employer discrimination in this country | 66% | 84% | 84% | 0% |
WORKPLACE MISCONDUCT
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change | |
---|---|---|---|
Many of those who complain of workplace harassment should share part of the blame | 25% | 33% | +8% |
Companies often ignore claims of a sexually charged environment in the workplace | 74% | 77% | +3% |
Sexual Harassment policies are just a matter of common sense | 74% | 59% | -15% |
It is difficult to evaluate sexual harassment claims that took place years ago since people forget things over time | 73% | 65% | -8% |
If a superior engages in sexual activity with a subordinate the superior should automatically lose his/her job | 53% | 54% | +1% |
There are some circumstances where it is okay for a superior and his/her subordinate to engage in sexual activity | 29% | 30% | +1% |
One of the problems with accusations of a hostile work environment in the workplace is that some women can’t take a joke | 26% | 34% | +8% |
Women often falsely report sexual harassment just to get attention | 25% | 30% | +5% |
Human Resources in most companies will tend to be strongly biased in favor of the company | 79% | 72% | -7% |
Most women who are sexually harassed by a man provoke the behavior by the way they talk, act or dress | 20% | 20% | 0% |
How common is race discrimination on the job in the U.S.? | 2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very common | 17% | 28% | 24% | -4% |
Common | 48% | 42% | 49% | +7% |
Uncommon | 32% | 26% | 24% | -2% |
Very uncommon | 3% | 4% | 3% | -1% |
How common is gender discrimination on the job in the U.S.? | 2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very common | 21% | 36% | 26% | -10% |
Common | 44% | 45% | 50% | +5% |
Uncommon | 29% | 16% | 22% | +6% |
Very uncommon | 6% | 3% | 2% | -1% |
INSURANCE
2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Insurance companies will do anything they can to avoid paying claims to their policy holders |
72% | 71% | 74% | +3% |
POLICE
2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Police officers think they are above the law | 48% | 51% | 58% | +7% |
It is common for a police officer to use excessive force | 43% | 42% | 55% | +13% |
I worry about my loved ones being injured by a police officer | 28% | 32% | 43% | +11% |
VISUALS
2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
If I served as a juror I would hope for visuals to accompany the arguments | 82% | 85% | 83% | -2% |
If I served as a juror I would expect visuals to accompany the arguments | 75% | 76% | 80% | +4% |
When learning about a new concept how important are visuals? | 2017 Percent Agree |
2018 Percent Agree |
2019 Percent Agree |
Percent Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very important | 64% | 70% | 59% | -11% |
Somewhat important | 35% | 29% | 40% | +11% |
Not at all important | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0% |