Legal Definitions - excessive verdict

An excessive verdict is a decision made by a jury that is considered to be unreasonable and unfair. This verdict is usually based on factors that are not related to the legal proceedings, such as prejudice or emotional influence.

For example, if a jury awards a large sum of money to a plaintiff in a personal injury case, even though the damages suffered were not severe, this could be considered an excessive verdict. Another example could be a jury awarding a large sum of money to a plaintiff simply because they do not like the defendant, rather than based on the evidence presented in court.

When a verdict is deemed excessive, a judge may order a decrease in the amount awarded to the plaintiff. This is done to ensure that the verdict is fair and reasonable based on the evidence presented in court.