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THE South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter BLog
A quick look at verdicts, trial news or other stories of interest to South Carolina litigators.
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May 2026 Table of Contents (Full preview out next week)
April 2026 preview
March 2026 preview
February 2026 preview
January 2026 preview
Published 4-24-26
Friday news . . .$308,911 FMLA Retaliation verdict yesterday in Spartanburg
There was a FMLA retaliation verdict yesterday in Spartanburg. A longtime community college professor (Chipley Bennett -- tenured biology) was fired after he took a day off to care for his elderly father who had an emergency surgery. The school retroactively approved his FMLA leave and still fired him. The college cited he'd let a student proctor his class on the day he was gone.
Jeffrey P. Dunlaevy, Dunlaevy Law Firm, Greenville for the plaintiff; Stephanie H. Burton, Gibbes Burton, Spartanburg defending
Full report coming in the May 2026 edition . . .Subscribe to the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter
The Bennett v. SCC jury verdict
Published 4-19-26
Three jury trials are ongoing into this week after a week of trial
There are at least three cases (apparently) that started trial last week but which haven't finished yet. They are:
Dillon County - Clark v. Adams, 2023-CP-17-00119 - Wrongful Death Med Mal
Michael Baxley for the plaintiff; Lee Weatherly defending
Charleston County - McKay v. CSX, 2022-CP-10-04964 - FELA claim against CSX
Randolph Muldraugh, IV for the plaintiff; Sonja Tate, Augusta defending
Greenwood County - Mims v. Greenwood ENT, 2022-CP-24-00339 - Mismanagement of goiter led to plaintiff's death
Brink Hinson for the plaintiff; Molly Craig defending
We are checking the docket every day and will update when there is a verdict.
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Published 4-8-26
$500,000 premises verdict last week in Conway -- Plaintiff fell throwing trash in a county dumpster
The plaintiff was placing trash in a county dumpster. The dumpsters were placed on concrete pads. The pads are separated by dirt areas.
As the plaintiff put in the trash, she stepped back from the pad and onto the dirt. She fell and suffered a broken hip and wrist. Plaintiff underwent a hip repair surgery.
Plaintiff sued the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) (it operates the dumpsters) and Horry County which owns the property and alleged the dirt areas were uneven and dangerous. The jury found SWA solely at fault and exonerated Horry County. There was no fault assessed to the plaintiff. The verdict was $500,000. a consistent judgment was entered.
Dorsey W. Strickland and W. Coleman Lawrimore, The Derrick Law Firm, Conway for the plaintiff
J. Alexander Hooks and H. Thomas Morgan, Jr., Smith Robinson, Camden for Solid Waste Authority Weldon L. Coates and Samuel F. Arthur, III, Aiken Bridges, Florence for Horry County
Defense Summary Judgment Motion
Plaintiff Summary Judgment Response
The scene where the plaintiff fell:
Published 3-30-26
The April 2026 Preview has been published -- Full issue out Monday morning
The April 2026 Preview is out this morning.
Published 3-26-26
Premises Liability verdict yesterday in Aiken in a case where the plaintiff fell at a gas station
Plaintiff tripped on a piece of concrete rebar at a Beech Island gas station. She fell flat on her face but her more severe injury was that the car keys in her hand penetrated her hand as she fell. Plaintiff sued the gas station and alleged the protruding rebar was unsafe. The gas station denied fault.
The case was tried for three days this week in Aiken before Judge Clyburn-Pope. It was a defense verdict.
The jury's verdict in Walker v. Sprint Food Stores.
Marc Mambo, The Mambo Law Firm, Summerville for the plaintiff. Kyle B. Waddell, Fulcher Hagler, Augusta, GA defending.
Full Report coming in the April 2026 edition of the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter.
Published 3-24-26
Med Mal verdict last Friday in Florence
There was a defense verdict last Friday in Florence. The elderly plaintiff, who was at Lake City Community Hospital, alleged that while on oxygen, his tank ran low and there was a delay in finding a new one. He became unresponsive and died.
The estate alleged error in planning, assessing and managing the patient's care. As the hospital was a government entity, the proof burden was gross negligence.
The plaintiff met that high burden . . . the jury finding gross negligence . . .however the hospital was exonerated by a finding that this gross negligence was not the proxmiate cause of the plaintiff's injuries and death.
William H. Waring, III, Thurmond Kirchner & Timbes, Summerville and Lionel S. Lofton and V. Lynn Lofton, Lofton & Lofton, Charleston for the plaintiff.
D. Jay Davis, Jr. and Matthew O. Riddle, Clements Rivers, Charleston defending.
Published 3-17-26
The Big Mid-March SCJVR update for St. Patrick's Day
We've got a lot today at the Mid-March update (the whole update in a single PDF) for the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter. It's a bit of potpourri with verdicts, settlements and news from state and federal court. Grab a cup of green coffee maybe, and let's get caught up.
Subscribe to the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter for all the reports
Recent State Court Verdicts
***Horry County
Escalator Negligence - A great-grandmother fell backwards on at a department store escalator in Myrtle Beach that she alleged was moving faster than normal – she settled with the department store (Belk) and advanced a claim against the manufacturer and installer of the escalator – a Conway jury rejected the case and the plaintiff took nothing
Daniel A. Hunnicutt, Conway for the plaintiff
Scott D. MacLatchie, Jr. and Harrison Williams, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Columbia defending
Verdict returned on March 11, 2026
Full report coming in the April edition
***Beaufort County
Medical Malpractice - The plaintiff linked a bleeding complication to his surgeon not discontinuing the plaintiff’s use of anti-coagulants in a timely fashion before a hernia surgery, all of which led to a bleeding complication and subsequent hospitalization to evacuate a hematoma - February 25, 2026 defense verdict
David A. Manzi, Schiller & Hamilton, Beaufort for the plaintiff
Chilton Grace Simmons, Beaufort and Elizabeth Ballentine Mason, Charleston, both of Rogers Townsend defending
***Charleston County
Premises Liability - The plaintiff slipped on a wet floor at a grocery and alleged it was related to an ongoing drainage issue the grocery had not repaired – the case was tried for two days, and a Charleston jury returned a defense verdict
Jarrel L. Wigger, Wigger Law Firm, North Charleston for the plaintiff
Andrew J. Santaniello, Aylward Sweeney & Santaniello. Charlotte, NC defending
Verdict returned March 3, 2026
Case Document:
Van Buren v. Harris Teeter jury verdict
***Fairfield County
ATV Repair Negligence - Plaintiff lost several fingers in a roll-over Razor accident – she blamed the accident on a negligent repair by a dealer – the case came to trial and mistrial was declared on March 9, 2026, the judge explaining cryptically there were “numerous issues with the jury” – a new trial has been set for May of 2026
Lee D. Cope and Ronnie L. Crosby, Parker Law Group, Hampton and Jamie L. Walters, Koon Cook & Walters, Columbia for the plaintiff
Curtis L. Ott and William E. Whitney, III, Gallivan White Boyd, Columbia defending
Federal Court Jury Trials
***False Claims Act
Relators alleged that Fluor Corporation defrauded the U.S. government of millions in fulfilling logistics contracts in the war theater in Afghanistan. A six-week trial in Greenville resulted in a mixed verdict but the included an award of damages of $15,000,000 that is subject to being trebled. Details coming in the April 2026 edition. The verdict was returned on March 11, 2016.
Jon Loevy, Daniel Twetten, Michael Kanowitz, Anand Swaminathan, Frank T. Newell and Anna C. Dover, Loevy & Loevy, Chicago, IL, Richard A. Harpootlian, Columbia, Frank L. Eppes, Eppes & Plumblee, Greenville and Judah N. VanSyckel, Saluda Law, Lexington for the plaintiff
Mark C. Moore and Michael A. Parente, Columbia and Konstantine P. Diamaduros, Greenville, all of Maynard Nexsen, Craig D. Margolis, Tirzah S. Lollar and Christian D. Sheehan, Washington, D.C. and Rachel K. Higgins, New York, NY all of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer for Fluor
Case Documents:
Rude et al v. Fluor Corporation Jury Verdict (19 pages in PDF)
***Products Liability
Settled - Johnson v. Werner - Plaintiff suffered a disabling T-12 fracture when a Werner-brand aluminum extension ladder "false-locked and he fell ten feet. A jury was picked in Charleston on 2-19-26 before Judge Bruce H. Hendricks. The case was to begin yesterday. The parties settled.
Ronnie L. Crosby and Derek D. Tarver, Parker Law Group, Hampton and D. Jay Davis, Jr., Clement Rivers, Charleston for the plaintiff
Jonathan E. Hall, Phelps Dunbar, Raleigh, NC and Amy Bower, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, Charleston defending.
Case Documents:
Plaintiff Trial Memorandum (9 pages in PDF)
Notable Settlements
***Kershaw County
Wrongful Death/School Bus Stop Negligence - A woman was struck and killed at a rural bus stop in Kershaw County when while crossing the street (the stop was dark, poorly lit and not marked) by a passing car moments after loading her son onto the bus – the estate settled with the school district and state BOE for $725,000 which included sums for her son’s negligent infliction of emotional distress at seeing this tragic event
Mark J. Bringardner and Mary K. Linton, Bringardner Injury Law Firm, Charleston for the plaintiff
Joseph D. Thompson, III and Samuel R. Velasquez, Hall Booth Smith, Mt. Pleasant for Kershaw County School Board and Lake E. Summers, Malone Thompson & Summers, Columbia for SC Department of Education defending
***Dorchester County
Wrongful Death/Motor Carrier Negligence - A SC DOT employee (age 23) was killed instantly when while standing by the road, a tandem wheel broke loose and struck him – there was no remedy against the trucking firm and the plaintiff pursued a pre-suit claim against the company that employed the trucking firm on a negligent motor carrier selection theory in selecting such a substandard trucking firm – the parties settled the matter for $16,000,000, representing the full sum of available insurance, the settlement being approved in Dorchester County
Rose v. Don’s Car Crushing, 2026-CP-18-00355
David B. Lail and Brandt R. Horton, Yarborough Applegate, Charleston for the plaintiff
Case Documents:
Petition to Approve Wrongful Death Settlement (6 pages in PDF)
Notable Court of Appeals Opinion
South Carolina Court of Appeals
Premises Liability - The plaintiff (a teacher at Liberty Hill Academy in Charleston) slipped on a just waxed floor in 2012 and has since suffered from CRPS. The case was tried in May of 2019 and she took $170,629 in damages (equal to her medicals) assessed equally to her and the company that operated the school building.
Her attorneys were Andrew J. McCumber and Daniel S. Slotchiver, Slotchiver & Slotchiver, Charleston
Robert T. Lyles, Lyles & Associates, Charleston defended
The plaintiff took an appeal (and now pro se), the Court of Appeals reversed in September 2025 and found error by the trial court (Judge Kinlaw presiding) in admitting testimony from a human factors expert. The defendant sought a petition for rehearing. Denied. It then sought a writ at the Supreme Court. Denied. The case has returned to the trial (the plaintiff is still pro se) fourteen years after the plaintiff suffered her initial injury.
Case Documents:
Gurwood v. GCS Services Corporation (Appellate Opinion - 13 pages in PDF)
The complete reports on these verdicts and settlements as well as the notable and interesting complaints coming in the April 2026 edition.
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Published 3-11-26
Escalator negligence verdict today in Conway
The plaintiff stepped onto an escalator (going up) at a Belk's department store in Myrtle Beach at the Coastal Grand Mall. It was moving faster than she expected and her feet flew out from under her. She struck her head in the resulting fall when she fell backwards. Plaintiff alleged negligence by the escalator manufacturer, Schindler Elevator.
Defense verdict returned today in Conway. Details coming in the April 2026 edition.
Subscribe to the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter (link to the online store) for the details.
Daniel Hunnicutt, Conway for the plaintiff. Scott D. MacLatchie, Jr. and Harrison Williams, Nelson Mullins in Columbia defending.
Published 3-2-26
The March 2026 preview is out this morning
Today we published the March 2026 edition (our third) and the preview is below. The preview is nine pages of the full 30-page issue.
Where's the rest of the issue? Fair. It's a subscription publication.
Subscribe (link to the online store) to the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter and we'll catch you up by sending you the complete January to March 2026 editions.
The March 2026 Preview (link in PDF)
Published 2-25-26
Verdict tonight in Dawsey v. BMW -- $5.1 million for the plaintiff
There is a verdict tonight after a week in trial in the Dawsey v. BMW case in Greenville alleging national discrimination origin and other counts.
The plaintiff prevailed on national origin (she lost on race and sex discrimination) and took compensatory damages of $100,000 and $5,000,000 more in punitives. The court's judgment (entered today on the verdict) is for $5.1 million but presumably the award will be subject to the statutory $300,000 cap.
The complete Dawsey v. BMW jury verdict (six pages in PDF)
Full report coming in the March 2026 edition out next week.
Brian P. Murphy, (pictured),Stephenson & Murphy, Greenville for the plaintiff
Kent M. Rozelsky, Spencer Fane, Greenville and Ellison F. McCoy, D. Randle Moody, II and Mallory H. Gantt, Jackson Lewis, Greenville defending BMW
Published 2-23-26
Update at 6:05 p.m. on Monday
There is not a verdict today. Judge Cain heard directed verdict motions including on BMW being protected by the treaty. Denied all but as to treaty protections.
Jurors to report Tuesday morning (2-24-26) at 9:15 a.m.
National Origin Discrimination verdict expected today in Greenville (federal) in a case against BMW
We've been following Dawsey v. BMW for the last week. It is being tried in federal court in Greenville before Judge Timothy Cain. A verdict is expected today (Monday) or tomorrow. The plaintiff, a long-time HR manager alleged she was removed from position because BMW has a hierarchical system that favors German employees. It works such that in the chain of command, it is German-Non-German-German in order. Thus if the boss if German, the second in the department can be American, and then the third must be German.
In this case the plaintiff (American) was second in HR and hoped to be the new VP. BMW selected another American to be the new VP. That meant in the system that a German had to be number 2 (the plaintiff's job) which would result in a demotion for the plaintiff. She sued and alleged national origin discrimination.
Follow this space. We'll have the verdict as soon as its published, maybe this evening if the trial concludes today.
Summary Judgment Order (Link in PDF)
Brian P. Murphy, Stephenson & Murphy, Greenville for the plaintiff [Stephenson took a $408,110 ADA discrimination verdict in May of 2024 before Judge Cain)
Kent M. Rozelsky, Spencer Fane, Greenville and Ellison F. McCoy, D. Randle Moody, II and Mallory H. Gantt, Jackson Lewis, Greenville defending BMW
Published 2-19-26
$120,000 Premises Liability Verdict in Greenville on 2-5-26
The plaintiff was walking at a nursery (Twin Bridge in Taylors) when she slipped on a "fabric weed barrier" and landed hard. She sustained a complex open ankle fracture. It was a gruesome injury. She alleged the premises were unsafe.
A Greenville jury (Judge Salvini on the bench) found both parties at fault. It was assessed 70% to the defense, remainder to the plaintiff. The damages were $120,000 which represents a net $61,200 result for the plaintiff.
The Hall v. Twin Bridge Nursery jury verdict (PDF link)
R. Mills Ariail, Jr. and Justin D. Mihalic, Law Office of Mills Ariail, Greenville for the plaintiff
James P. Walsh and John D. Solar, Clarkson Walsh & Coulter, Greenville defending
We are also following an employment case (National Origin Discrimination) going right now in Federal Court in Greenville against BMW. Brian Murphy (Stephenson & Murphy) for the plaintiff. Ellison F. McCoy, Jackson Lewis, leads the defense. Judge Cain presiding.
Report coming in the March 2026 edition of the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter.
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Published 2-16-26
The February Mid-Month Update from the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter
At our mid-month update, we look to several recent verdicts from 2026, a pending federal trial involving Waffle House, an interesting $4,000,000 wrongful death settlement, as well as a preview of our Notable and Interesting Complaints feature.
Let's get to it:
**Berkeley County
Grooms v. Legette
Right of way turning crash results in a defense verdict on comparative fault. Plaintiff found 90% at fault. Verdict returned 1-6-26
Jeffrey Geradi, Joye Law Firm, North Charleston for the plaintiff
Jeffrey M. Crudup and Madeline Nelson, Clarkson Walsh & Coulter, Charleston defending
**Abbeville County
Tate v. Banks
A motorcyclist was injured when rear-ended at a red light. The jury awarded him compensatory damages of $95,000. Verdict returned 1-14-26
Chase H. Coble, Poulin Willey Trial Lawyers, Charleston
Michael T. Coulter, Clarkson Walsh & Coulter, Greenville
**Charleston County
Williams v. Poteat
Minor Public parking lot crash - The jury found for the plaintiff and a minimal award of $3,044 on 1-22-26.
India Shaw, Poulin Willey Trial Lawyers, Charleston
Joseph R. Weston, Weston Craig Anthony, Mt. Pleasant
**Horry County
Skipper v. Key Service Plumbing
An intoxicated driver for a plumbing company crossed the line and struck a parked vehicle in which the plaintiff was a passenger which resulted in serious injuries. A Horry County jury awarded the plaintiff $1.8 million on 1-9-26
Scott J. Bradley, The Joel Bieber Law Firm, Greenville for the plaintiff
Robert D. Moseley and Christian E.W. Fober, Moseley Marcinak Law Group, Greenville
**Charleston County
Walters v. Gleaton
Plaintiff suffered a bladder injury related to an Ob-Gyn's purported failure to fully remove a catheter
Shawn Pinkston and Colin Ram, CR Law, Mt. Pleasant for the plaintiff
D. Gary Lovell, Jr. and Nicholas I. Lewis, Copeland Stair Valz & Lovell, Charleston defending
**Federal Court - Greenville
We are also following a federal trial (jury selected February 9, 2026) and the proof is expected to start February 24, 2026 before Judge Austin in Greenville. It involves a slip and fall in a Waffle House bathroom.
James D. George, Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, Columbia for the plaintiff
Andrew F. Lindemann, Lindemann Law Firm, Columbia for Waffle House
**Notable Settlement
Aiken County – $4,000,000
Hobbs v. D/C Power Products
Plaintiff, age 58, fatally crushed in an unloading accident at the Bridgestone Tire Plant in Graniteville when large pallets shifted. Defendant settled on 12-9-24. Two other defendants had previously settled for $1.25 million and $1.075 million. Before the settlement complex issues regarding worker’s compensation exclusivity that went to the Court of Appeals.
Leland M. Malchow and Christopher C. Johnson, Nimmons Malchow Johnson, Augusta, GA for the plaintiff
David L. Moore, Turner Padgett, Greenville defending
**Notable and Interesting Complaints (PDF link to a preview of what will appear in the March 2026 edition)
All this and more coming in the March 2026 edition of the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter.
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Published 2-10-26
Beaufort County premises liability case at a bicycle store
There was an interesting verdict in Beaufort County. The plaintiff came to a sporting goods store (Sports Addiction) to buy a bicycle. She was checking out a bicycle and the seat was too high. As the store owner adjusted the seat, she fell off the bike and broke her arm. Plaintiff sued the sporting goods store and alleged negligence.
A defense verdict was returned on liaiblity
The Milot v. Sports Addiction jury verdict
Joseph S. Sandefur, Morgan & Morgan, Murrells Inlet for the plaintiff
Roopal S. Ruparelia (pictured below), Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, Columbia defending
All coming in the March 2026 edition of the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter.
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Published 2-3-26
The February edition (our second in South Carolina) is out today . . .
We hope everyone survived the snow. The February issue (1 SCJVR 2) is out this morning. You can read the February preview here:
The February 2026 Preview (9 pages in PDF)
Where are all the verdicts? The February issue is 30 pages long. I want the whole thing. All the verdicts.
We get it. The South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter is a subscription publication.
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It's a serious jury verdict reporter for serious lawyers
Published 1-28-26
Richland County Complaint -- Plaintiff burned at Church's Chicken when employee threw hot grease in a dispute with another patron
A Church's Chicken employee (Main Street location in Columbia) had a dispute with a customer. The plaintiff, Melissa Norris, alleges the employee threw hot grease at her during the dispute about which Norris was not involved.
Complaint filed January 18, 2026.
Marc J. Brown (Marc Brown Law Firm) Columbia, filed the complaint
Norris v. Church's Chicken (External link to complaint)
Published 1-16-26
$3,000,000 optometry verdict (less 15% comparative fault) from Lexington County ends in a final judgment of $807,072 against optometry after a secret $2,000,000 million settlement with the optometrist just as the trial began
There was a fascinating verdict with even more interesting post-trial motions from Lexington County. The plaintiff complained of a permanent vision loss after a visit to an optometrist. He blamed her for doing just a "puff" test and not dilating his eyes. He was diagnosed with glaucoma 18 months later. The plaintiff also sued her employer on vicarious liability.
As the trial was to begin the plaintiff entered a secret deal with the optometrist. She agreed to pay her $2,000,000 limits for an agreement not to execute. The trial proceeded (the judgment and the employer didn't know about the deal) and resulted in a $3,000,000 verdict less 15% comparative fault. The net judgment was $2.55 million. The plaintiff, a retired missionary, remarked post-trial he looks forward to receiving new eyes in heaven.
There were significant post-trial motions. The employer was not happy at all about the secret settlement and among other things, wanted a set-off for the $2,000,000 settlement. The plaintiff wanted costs of $610,223 (on top of the $2.55 million) predicated on her $850,000 offer of judgment.
The final judgment (Judge Keesley writing) sorted the complex issues out and after remittur, the plaintiff took $807,072. How did that play out? The remaining defendant (the employer) was entitled to a $2,000,000 set-off for the settlement which exceeded that judgment. Morever as the final $807,072 was less than the $850,000 offer of judgment, the court declined to award costgs.
Full report (it's lengthy and captures the cases twists and turns) coming in the February 2026 edition of the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter out on 2-2-26.
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Final Judgment (19 pages in PDF)
Todd R. Lyle, Lyle Law Firm, Lexington and Paul L. Reeves, Reeves & Kea, Columbia for the plaintiff
Ronald B. Diegel and Zachary B. Randolph, Murphy & Grantland, Columbia for McTague (Optometrist)
G. Mark Phillips and Blake T. Williams, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Columbia for Stanton Optical defendants on agency
Bonus -- this weekend we learned of a $1.8 million UIM verdict in Horry County on 1-9-26. The plainitff was in a parked car that was struck by an out-of-control plumber who had consumed opioids. Scott J. Bradley (The Joel Bieber Firm) Greenville for the plaintiff. Robert D. Moseley, (Moseley Marcinak) Greenville defending. The record indicates the defendant is entitled to a set-off of $1,043,135 for prior settlements and payments.
The verdict form in Skipper v. Key Service Plumbing
Published 1-13-26
$11.077 million settlement in Horry County -- Two parents killed when their vehicle had a flat tire and they were struck as they were changing it
A family from Jamaica was returning home after a Christmas visit to Myrtle Beach. They were driving to the airport when their vehicle became disabled by a flat tire. The father and mother (Oneil Stevens and Camesha Lindsay) were both killed when struck by a passing pick-up truck being driven by an employee of a construction firm. Their children (and another relative) witnessed their tragic deaths. The family posed in a poignant photo on the beach a day before the accident posted on Facebook by the father.
The crash occurred on 1-3-25. The case settled exactly nine months later, the five plaintiffs taking all the insurance (the construction firm had $1,000,000 liability and $10,000,000 more in umbrella and a small UIM) that was also available. That was $4.016 for each decedent, $1.016 for each child, and $1.015 for the relative.
Justin Lovely and Sarah Austin, The Lovely Law Firm, Myrtle Beach for the plaintiffs
Michael Kalwajtys, Baker Ravenel Bender, Columbia for the construction firm and its insurer
Report coming in the February 2026 edition.
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A snip of the Order Approving the Settlement Agreement
Published 1-12-26
Slip and fall at the North Charleston Coliseum -- Lawsuit filed in Charleston County
The plaintiff, Rasheeda Brown, tripped on a bunched rug at a concert on 4-4-25 at the North Charleston Coliseum and sustained injury. Brown sued the coliseum last week and its management company, Legends Global, alleging negligence in the maintenance of the premises. The show was Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton, who are both Grammy-award winning R&B/soul artists.
Brown v. North Charleston Coliseum (link to complaint)
James Leffew, Leffew Law Firm, Charleston for the plaintiff
Published 1-6-26
Hyundai sued in Greenville in a case involving a catastrophic injury related to a seat belt failure
Lawsuit filed two days before Christmas in Greenville. Plaintiff in Hudson v. Hyundai alleges a catastrophic injury related to a a seat belt failure.
W. Mullins McLeod, Jr. , H. Cooper Wilson III and Nicholas A. Charles, McLeod Group, Columbia and William A. Maxey and Elizabeth H. McFarland, Maxey McFarland, Greenville for the plaintiff. At the time of this report no answer has been filed. Presumably Hyundai will remove the case to federal court.
Hudson v. Hyundai (link to complaint)
Published 1-5-26
$540,000 rotator cuff verdict in Columbia in a legal malpractice (fault admitted) case within a case
Plaintiff was injured in a t-bone crash in August of 2016. The next day he hired attorney Rolland Greenberg to represent him. Plaintiff suffered a rotator cuff tear and later had surgery.
Greenberg never filed a lawsuit. Plaintiff discovered this when he saw another attorney. Plaintiff then sued for malpractice.
Tried as a case-within-a-case the week of December 15, 2025 in Columbia before Judge Coble.
The underlying case was valued at $540,000. The jury rejected the imposition of punitive damages.
Brendan J. Green, Richardson Thomas, Columbia for the plaintiff
David W. Overstreet, Earhart Overstreet, Charleston defending
Details coming in the February 2026 editon.
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Published 1-3-26
Plaintiff struck in the face by track debris (knocked him out) while in the pit area at the Cherokee Speedway during the Blue Gray race
Happy New Year all!
The plaintiff, Billy Joe Owensby, was standing in the pit area at a race at the Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney when he was struck by debris. It occurred during the Blue Gray on 11-17-24. He was knocked out and otherwise suffered injuries.
Anthony Stadler (HawkLaw) Spartanburg filed the complaint on 12-30-25 in Cherokee County against the speedway. Read the lawsuit below.
Published 12-30-25
Wal-Mart slip and fall defense verdict in Beaufort County -- Spill was on the floor for 80 seconds before the plaintiff fell
The plaintiff fell in the produce section at a Wal-Mart in Bluffton and struck her head. A customer had spilled water on the floor from his cup. This was all caught on surveillance. The spill occurred 80 seconds before the plaintiff fell.
Plaintiff argued there was an employee in the area who should have seen the spill. Wal-Mart denied it had notice and noted the plaintiff herself walked through the spill once and then double-backed at which point she fell.
Case tried four days before Judge Mullen. Defense verdict.
Report coming in the February 2026 edition of the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter.
You can read the premiere edition here, January 2026 Premiere (34 pages in PDF)
Jason S. Stevens, The Stevens Law Firm, Mt. Pleasant for the plaintiff
Robert C. Blain, now Collins & Lacy, Columbia, defending
The spill were the plaintiff fell and then the slide mark in the water.
Published 12-29-25
$40,000,000 Dram Shop settlement in York County against QuikTrip
There was a tragic and preventable accident in Rock Hill on 6-3-23. A teenager twice bought beer at a QuikTrip with a fake ID. The store didn't have a point-of-sale scanner that could identify the ID as fake although they are readily available.
The teen (now driving drunk at twice the legal limit) ran off the road. He crashed into the plaintiff who was operating his lawnmower in his yard. He died at the scene. the man's three-year old son (sitting on his lap) suffered a serious TBI. The boy's mother witnessed it all. A teenager passenger with the drunk teen was ejected and suffered fatal injuries. Another cousin in the truck was also injured.
The plaintiffs settled with their dram shop case (pre-suit) against QuikTrip for a total of $40,000,000 of the retailer's available $41,000,000 in coverage.
Details in the complete premiere January 2026 edition of the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter.
David B. Lail and Liam D. Duffy, Yarborough Applegate, Charleston for the plaintiffs
Case Documents:
Petition to Approve Final Settlement
Published 12-24-25
Mount Pleasant Mayor (Will Haynie) alleges former town council member (Cunnane) slandered him by calling him a pedophile
The Mayor of Mount Pleasant, Will Haynie, filed suit yesterday against Kevin Cunnane, a former member of the Town Council, and a vocal critic of the Mayor. Haynie. At a "911" memorial dedication, Haynie alleged that Cunnane told a Haynie friend (Rev. Robinson Dewey) that, I can't believe you keep backing the pedophile, the mayor." Haynie alleges Cunnane said the same thing to him on another occasion. Cunnane is alawyer.
Haynie has sued alleging slander. Cunnane had Haynie have feuded for years, and apparently they aren't done.
J. Brooks Davis, Mt. Pleasant, filed the complaint
A portion of the lawsuit . . .
Published 12-22-25
Texas Roadhouse slip and fall filed in Anderson County on Thursday
Slip and fall complaint filed Thursday in Anderson. It's a good old fashioned wet floor case.
Jason Daigle, Morgan & Morgan, N. Charleston, for the plaintiff
Dobbs v. Texas Roadhouse (External link to the complaint)
Published 12-22-25
$103,383 Truck Negligence verdict in Columbia
A truck delivering asphalt to a construction site struck the plaintiff's vehicle, hooked on it and then drug that vehicle a short distance. The plaintiff subsequently treated for both cervical and lumbar disc injuries. On the first day of December the plaintiff took an award of $103,383.
Full report coming in the February 2026 edition.
Frederick E. Hall, The Rick Hall Law Firm, Lexington and Joseph L. Leventis, Sharpe & Leventis, Columbia for the plaintiff
Matthew C. LaFave, LaFave Bagley, Columbia, defending
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The jury's verdict:
Published 12-18-25
Onyx the pet cockatoo died and the his owner alleged veterinary malpractice - Suit filed yesterday in Charleston
We got a bird case. Marshall Liger, himself a vet, owned a Black Palm Cockatoo named Onyx. In a lawsuit filed yesterday Liger alleges veterniary malpractice by doctors at Exotic Vet Care led to the bird's death. These are expensive birds and can go for $10,000 and up. The complaint is below.
Collin H. Fuller, Fuller Law, Mount Pleasant reps the plaintiff.
Case Documents:
Published 12-16-25
Plaintiff (quite popular on TikTok) alleged a snooping assistant bank manager shared her confidential account information which was shared publicly
The plaintiff (Kelsey Pumel) of Berkeley County, SC, alleged an assistant manager at JP Morgan Chase improperly accessed her account information and shared it with a TikTok influencer, that influencer then sharing that information online. It was apparently an attempt to scuttle the plaintiff's role herself as a popular social media influencer and content creator. Her instagram account perfectlykelsey has 680,000 followers and many more on TikTok. The bank manager was just apparently snooping on a person with a high profile.
This is a screenshot of the manager purportedly bragging about her conduct.
Case filed 12-4-25 in Charleston.
Barrett R. Brewer, Brewer Law Firm, Mount Pleasant for the plaintiff
Published 12-16-25
NCAA has moved for a new trial in the $18,000,000 Orangeburg County football injury case
A jury in Orangeburg awarded Robert Geathers and his wife (Debra) $18,000,000 on 10-24-25 against NCAA related to his head injury sustained while playing football from 1977 to 1981 at South Carolina State. The award valued his compensatory damages at $10,000,000 -- his wife's consortium interest was $8,000,000.
The NCAA moved for a JNOV/New Trial on 11-2-25 and we have their full motion (37 pages in PDF) below. The motion cites instruction error and the verdict was excessive among other things. The plaintiff has not yet replied to the motion.
The plaintiffs were represented by John Kasel and Thiele McVey, Kassel McVey, Columbia, David D. Langfitt, Gladwynne, PA and Bakari T. Selles, Strom Law Firm, Columbia. The NCAA's counsel is John E. Cuttion, Gallivan White & Boyd, Columbia, C. Brad Hutton, Williams & Williams, Orangeburg and Andrew K. Fletcher, Blank Rome, Philadelphia, PA.
Judge Frank R. Addy, Jr. is presiding.
Case Documents:
Geathers v. NCAA Jury Verdict
Geathers v. NCAA Defense JNOV/New Trial Motion
Published 12-15-25
Sneak Peak at the February 2026 edition
We’re still working on the February issue (December is a busy trial month around the state and there are cases that will be tried this week) but here’s a look at how it is shaping up. There are some very interesting cases, including a catastrophic injury products liability (paralyzing injury), a hunting accident where the plaintiff's hand was severely injured at a hunt club (Colleton County), and the $18,000,000 traumatic brain injury case against the NCAA from Orangeburg.
Here’s a sneak peak . . .at what’s coming.
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Published 12-13-25
Charleston infectious disease med mal results in defense verdict -- Judge Van Slambrook presiding
In 2018 the plaintiff (an ATF agent) suffered a low-back injury at work and had a muscular injection and dry needling, some combination of which led to a spinal infection. He treated with the defendant (Stock, infectious disease) who it was alleged mismanaged the care which led the infection destroying spinal bones. A Charleston jury returned a defense verdict and the plaintiff took nothing.
J. Clarke Newton and Allison P. Sullivan, Bluestein Thompson Sullivan, Columbia for the plaintiffs
Todd W. Smythe and Allie Maples, Smythe Whitley, Charleston, defending
Full report coming in the February 2026 edition. You can also read the January 2026 preview (full issue out January 5, 2026).
The Waller v. Stock jury verdict
Published 12-12-25
Judgment vacated this week (case settled post-trial in August) in $10,000,000 jail med mal from Williamsburg County
In July there was a $10,000,000 jail med mal verdict in Williamsburg County related to the failure of a private medical provider to treat the plaintiff's alcohol withdrawl symptoms. The award included economic damages of $700,000 and $9.3 million more in non-economic damages. The defense moved for a JNOV and cited juror misconduct (and other issues)(see the motion below) and before the plaintiff could reply, the parties fully settled the matter with the help of mediator, Karl Folkens. The settlement was approved on 8-29-25, and just this week the presiding Judge R. Kirk Griffin vacated the judgment. The relevant documents are below.
Full report coming in the February 2026 edition of the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter.
James B. Moore, III and Scott C. Evans, Evans Moore, Georgetown and James M. Ervin, Ervin Law, Columbia for the plaintiff
James G. Long, III and Amelia S. Waring, Maynard Nexsen, defending the private medical provider at the jail.
Case Documents:
Jury Verdict (7-16-25)
Defense JNOV Motion (7-25-25)
Order Approving Settlement (8-29-25)
Order Vacating Judgment (12-10-25)
The original jury verdict
Published 12-7-25
$10,000,000 verdict against Wal-Mart (2021 jury trial in Florence) reversed this November at the South Carolina Court of Appeals on an evidentiary question
The Court of Appeals reversed a $10,000,000 premises liability verdict from Florence County (returned 11-12-21) a few weeks ago and a little more than four years after the trial. The plaintiff stepped on a rusty nail from a broken pallet at Wal-Mart which set of a course of injuries leading to an above-the-knee amputation.
Wal-Mart appealed and alleged error by the plaintiff in showing photographs taken of broken pallets four years after the incident and then the trial court's failure to issue a curative instruction. Judge Williams at the Court of Appeals (joined by Geathers and Turner) agreed that was error. The appellate court reversed and remanded on 11-26-25. The opinion then did not address other issues raised on appeal.
The plaintiff was represented at trial in 2021 by Lane D. Jeffries, Eric M. Poulin and Roy T. Willey, IV of the Anastopoulo Law Firm, Charleston. Wal-Mart's trial attorney was Nashiba F. Boyd of Gaffney Lewis, Columbia. Miles E. Coleman and Abigail L. Wood of Nelson Mullins, Greenville, joined Wal-Mart's team for the appeal.
Case Documents:
Court of Appeals Opinion Reversing (11-26-25)
The original April 2021 jury verdict in Florence County before Judge Michael G. Nettles
Published 12-1-25
$12,219,000 Fair Housing Act verdict in Florence
This morning we are working on a recent (11-5-25) Fair Housing Act verdict from Florence. Plaintiffs were developing a low-income housing project in Florence near the country club. The theory was that rich residents (white ones) learned of the project and pressured county officials to scuttle the deal. The county denied it and cited there were concerns about transportation and infrastructure. The court made a finding the defendant's policy had a disparate racial impact, the jury only being asked if the policy had a valid objective.
The jury said no, found for the plaintiff on the Fair Housing count and awarded compensatory damages of $8,219,000 and $4,000,000 more in punitives.
Ellis R. Lesemann and J. Taylor Powell, Lesemann & Associates, Charleston, Shaun C. Kent, Kent Law Firm, Manning and Jordan C. Calloway, Rock Hill and Whitney B. Harrison, Columbia, both of McGowan Hood Felder & Phillips, Columbia all for the plaintiffs
William H. Davidson, II and John D. Grimes, Jr., Davidson & Wren, Columbia defending Florence County
Have you seen the preview of the South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter? First issue out the morning of January 5, 2026.
The January 2026 edition preview (link in PDF)
The verdict form on liability in DHD Jessamine v. Florence County
Published 12-3-25
There is a doozy in the first issue
The South Carolina Jury Verdict Reporter kicks off with a bang in the first issue. There is a remarkable case involving the former owner of the Charleston Battery (the quite colorful Eric Bowman), a bartender, a boyfriend, a golf cart and it all went down at Dunleavy's Pub on Sullivan's Island.
The case was just argued before the Court of Appeals in November and the case is ripe for decision. It's a lot!
Full report in the first issue . . .coming January 5, 2026.
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Published 11-25-25
The South Carolina Jury Verdict is coming . . . January 5, 2026. Stay tuned
