Nuclear Verdicts

Nuclear verdicts are a hot topic in the trucking and transportation industry, and for good reason. In 2010 there were less than 10 cases against trucking companies with a verdict over $1 million; in 2011 there were nearly 60, and there hasn’t been less than 30 in a year since then. And it’s not just the number of cases that’s increasing, but the amount of the verdict. The average verdict in 2010 was $2.3 million; in 2018 it was $22.3 million ¹.
A single finding against a trucking company can be catastrophic, at times even forcing their closure. With that in mind, is there anything a company can do to reduce the risk that one of their drivers will be involved in one of these cases? The answer is: Absolutely!

In its annual survey of hiring managers, the 2016 HireRight Employment Screening Benchmark Report shows the single biggest issue facing HR professionals today is finding qualified job candidates. Across industries and around the country, the labor market has tightened dramatically. In fact, HireRight reports that 77 percent of the nearly 3,500 survey respondents indicate they will be growing headcount this year. If you are in the market for new talent – and let’s face it, who is not – chances are you have experienced the same thing. With so many jobs available to be filled, the quality of those still looking is probably declining, too.