Utah’s Record $81M Crosswalk Wrongful Death Verdict.

Hosts Tyler Todd and co-host Jaren Sandberg discuss a precedent-setting Utah case ending in an $81 million verdict. The state’s largest plaintiff injury verdict, arising from the 2018 death of 11-year-old Michael Madson, struck in a marked Pleasant Grove crosswalk by a commercial truck driver working for Allied (later acquired by Beacon). They review the litigation timeline, including a 2022 trial that produced a defense verdict despite video and walk-signal evidence, the judge setting it aside via judgment as a matter of law and ordering a new trial, and the court of appeals affirming that the driver was negligent. In the 2026 retrial, the jury awarded $33 million to each parent and $7.5 million to each of the two boys who witnessed the death under a “zone of danger” theory, with unanimous 0% fault assigned to the children, and the hosts reflect on justice, valuation of loss, and child safety.

00:34 Why 81 Million Matters
02:02 Is It Ever Enough
02:59 Crash Facts And Timeline
04:36 Lowball Offers And Lawsuit
09:54 Defense Verdict Shock
12:17 Judge Sets Verdict Aside
14:12 Appeal Upholds Negligence
16:41 New Trial And Driver Conduct
18:57 Verdict Breakdown Begins
19:21 Zone of Danger Damages
20:27 Utah Verdicts and Leverage
21:45 Is 33 Million Enough
23:05 Defense Tactics Under Fire
27:54 Mercy Versus Justice
30:37 Judges Errors and Appeals
32:12 Why This Precedent Matters
34:06 Zero Fault Closure
36:05 Safety Advice and Wrap Up

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Utah Dog Bite Law: Strict Liability, Defenses, and What to Do After an Animal Attack

Hosts Tyler Todd and Jaren Sandberg discuss dog bites and animal attacks, emphasizing that Utah imposes strict liability on pet owners for injuries or damage their animals cause, even without a bite (e.g., jumping, barking, lunging, or knocking someone over). They note that evidence a dog had prior incidents can increase case value and potentially support punitive damages, while defenses may include provocation by an adult and a recent Utah change limiting claims by trespassers attacked in enclosed areas. They advise victims to call police so animal control documents the incident and helps identify the owner, since recovery is difficult without ownership information. They explain claims are typically paid through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, encourage leashing and caution because animals can be unpredictable, and offer free consultations through their firm.

00:00 Show Kickoff
00:56 Dog Lovers and Family Pets
03:17 Cats and Pet Grief Tangent
06:08 Back to Dog Bites
06:39 Utah Strict Liability Explained
07:22 Off Leash Risks on Trails
08:05 No Bite Needed for Liability
09:03 Real Case Dog Scare Fall
10:32 Jumping Dogs and Grandma Example
10:46 Strict Liability Basics
11:03 When Nice Dogs React
11:51 Prior Incidents Raise Stakes
13:37 Defenses Provocation Trespass
15:31 First Cross Exam Story
18:46 What Owners Must Know
19:24 Document Attacks Immediately
21:03 Insurance Pays Claims
22:08 Leash Smart Final Advice

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Utah Headline Cases: Kouri Richins Conviction and an $81M Wrongful Death Verdict

Host Tyler Todd and co-host Jaren Sandberg discuss two major Utah cases: the nationally publicized Kouri Richins trial and a lesser-publicized but significant civil wrongful-death verdict. They describe Richins as convicted on all charges after prosecutors alleged she poisoned her husband, Eric, with a lethal fentanyl dose amid financial motives, life insurance, a prenuptial agreement, alleged prior poisoning attempts, and an affair; the defense presented no witnesses and argued the state failed to meet its burden, and an appeal is expected.

00:00 Podcast Kickoff
00:34 Utah Cases Teaser
04:31 Kouri Richins Background
06:32 Poisoning Evidence
07:21 Motive And Marriage
08:58 Valentines Attempt
09:50 Courtroom Optics
10:46 Defense Strategy
13:29 Jury Reactions
15:31 Trial Lessons
17:25 Appeals And Evidence
19:31 Appeal After Conviction
20:00 Wrongful Death Case Overview
20:46 Civil Verdict Rules Explained
21:15 Opening Statement Impact
21:53 Safety Failures Evidence
22:55 Why No Settlement Offer
25:03 Breaking Down The Damages
26:27 Justice Equals Money Debate
29:52 Indecent Proposal Analogy
32:53 What Is Justice Worth
34:26 Wrap Up And Safety Reminder

WE WIN FOR YOU. PERIOD.

Connect with us:
TikTok: @‌wewininjurylaw
Instagram: @‌wewininjurylaw
LinkedIn: We Win Injury Law

Get a free consultation: wewininjurylaw.com