What is the biggest lawsuit ever won by a single person?

Asked by: Moises Kling  |  Last update: October 5, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (25 votes)

Tobacco Awards In 2002, a California jury awarded Betsy Bullock $28 billion who began smoking at 17 and developed lung cancer which spread to her liver at the age of 64. In addition to the $28 billion in punitive damages, Bullock was also awarded $850,000 in compensatory damages from Philip Morris.

What is the largest individual lawsuit ever?

The Biggest Lawsuit Ever: The Tobacco Settlement — $206 Billion. The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement was filed in 1998 against the four largest tobacco companies in the United States and remains the largest lawsuit in history in terms of dollars involved. Defendants included Philip Morris, R. J.

What is the largest Judgement ever awarded?

The largest settlement in US history is the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement at $206 billion, making it not just the largest personal injury settlement but the largest legal settlement overall.

What personal injuries pay the most?

The highest-paying car accident injuries often involve severe conditions like spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and multiple fractures. These injuries require extensive medical treatment, leading to substantial medical bills and significant pain and suffering damages.

What is the biggest suing ever?

1998 – The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement – $206 Billion. The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement was entered in November 1998 and is still the largest lawsuit settlement in history.

Top 20 Most Ridiculous Lawsuits Ever

23 related questions found

Can someone sue you for $1000?

The decision to sue often depends on the debt's size (usually a minimum of $1,000), age, and original agreements. Debt collection practices for unpaid credit card balances frequently lead to court cases. If sued and found liable, you may face additional costs through interest and fees.

What is the average settlement for PTSD?

The average PTSD settlement amount is often between $10,000 and $100,000. Factors that influence the amount include injury severity, loss of income, how fault is determined, and the impact of injuries on everyday life.

How much money should I ask for in a settlement?

Ask for more than what you think you'll get

There's no precise formula, but it's generally recommended that personal injury plaintiffs ask for about 75% to 100% more than what they hope to receive. In other words, if you think your lawsuit might be worth $10,000, ask for $17,500 to $20,000.

Does physical therapy increase settlement?

In short, yes. Attending physical therapy sessions can help you maximize your settlement amount. In fact, not attending your physical therapy sessions when prescribed after an accident can negatively impact your settlement amount. With physical therapy, each session will document your pain and discomfort.

What is the one final Judgement rule?

Under California's “one final judgment” rule, a judgment that fails to dispose of all the causes of action pending between the parties is generally not appealable. See, e.g., Morehart v. County of Santa Barbara,(1994) 7 Cal. 4th 725, 740-741.

What is the largest jury verdict in US history?

A Look at the Record-Breaking $150 Billion Verdict:

However, one award stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of its sheer size. The largest jury award in history is a staggering $150 billion, handed down by a Texas jury in 2011 in a civil lawsuit involving a horrific assault on a young boy.

What is the lifespan of a Judgement?

A judgment is valid in accordance with California Law for ten years, and then it will automatically expire. However, a judgment can be extended another ten years at the creditor's request as long as it's before the ten years expires.

What is considered a large personal injury settlement?

The value of personal injury settlements varies significantly based on numerous factors, with most cases settling between $10,000 and $100,000, though some cases can reach into the millions depending on their circumstances.

How to get a million dollar settlement?

Here are the top five factors that all million-dollar personal injury settlements have in common.
  1. Extensive Economic Damages. ...
  2. Severe Injuries. ...
  3. Pain and Suffering. ...
  4. Aggravating Factors. ...
  5. Ability To Pay. ...
  6. Document All Damages. ...
  7. Follow Doctor's Orders. ...
  8. Stay Off Social Media.

What is the average payout for a broken arm?

Short answer: The average settlement for broken bones in a car accident in California is approximately $30,000 – $150,000. This range varies because some fractures are more complex and severe than others.

What is a good settlement offer?

A reasonable settlement offer is one that includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. While it varies from case to case, an experienced personal injury lawyers can help you find a reasonable amount for your case.

What is a normal settlement amount?

The rough 'rule of thumb' that we generally use to determine the value of the average settlement agreement payout (in respect of compensation for termination of employment) is two to three months' gross salary (in addition to your notice pay, holiday pay etc., as outlined above).

What is a reasonable full and final settlement offer?

It depends on what you can afford. Your full and final settlement should offer equal amounts to each creditor. For example: Your lump sum is 75% of your total debt. You should offer each creditor 75% of what you owe them.

How hard is it to get 100% disability for PTSD?

The standard for receiving a 100% rating for PTSD alone is stringent: total occupational and social impairment. That's characterized by symptoms like: Gross impairment of thought processes or communication. Persistent delusions or hallucinations.

How much are most personal injury settlements?

The average personal injury settlement amount is approximately $55,056.08, which is based on data from over 5,861 cases that were settled between 2021 and 2024.

What is the cut off for PTSD?

Research on the PCL-5 suggested scores of 31 to 33 were optimally efficient for diagnosing PTSD (Bovin et al., 2016), while validation studies recommended a variety of cutoff scores ranging between 28 and 37 (Ashbaugh et al., 2016; Blevins et al., 2015).

Who is the shortest person that ever lived?

At 54.6 cm (21.5 in), Nepalese-born Chandra Bahadur Dangi was, at the time of his death in 2015, the world's shortest person ever verified.

Who is the world most famous lawyer?

Who Are the Most Famous Lawyers in U.S. History?
  • Thomas Jefferson. We'll start at the beginning. ...
  • Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln was also a lawyer, though he didn't go to law school. ...
  • Clarence Darrow. ...
  • Thurgood Marshall. ...
  • Sandra Day O'Connor. ...
  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg. ...
  • Alan Dershowitz. ...
  • Johnnie Cochran.

Why sue a broke person?

Essentially, you might think suing someone with no money is futile, but that's not the case. The law protects your rights and allows you to seek compensation if someone causes you harm or loss, regardless of their financial status.