From unsafe premises and hazard communication failures to copyright disputes and medical malpractice claims, organizations face liability risks in a wide range of operational settings. Recent cases show how quickly these exposures can escalate when known risks are overlooked or proper safeguards are not in place. For businesses, understanding these vulnerabilities is an important step toward reducing exposure and strengthening long-term resilience.
Family of Man Who Fell Down Steps at Florida Bar Awarded $644 Million — Liability
A man received a $644 million jury award after he fell down approximately 20 steps at a Florida bar, leaving him paralyzed. The fall occurred in 2017 when the victim was exiting the bar; he sustained significant injuries, including multiple fractures in his neck and skull. According to his attorneys, the man has lost his sense of taste and smell and has no movement in his legs, arms, or torso, completely and permanently altering his life. Evidence presented at the trial suggested that the bar’s owners and operators knew, or should have known, that the staircase posed a safety risk since people had fallen previously. Additionally, the staircase was unsafe, lacked adequate handrails, and had narrow, steep steps without treads. The premises also had a safer, second staircase kept just for employees, according to the lawsuit. The award included $166 million for past pain and suffering, $363 million for future pain and suffering, as well as damages for lost wages, medical expenses, and loss of consortium awarded to the victim’s wife.
Jury Awards University $75.3 Million in Copyright Infringement Lawsuit — Liability
A Connecticut jury has awarded a university more than $75 million in damages after a software company distributed school-owned documents without permission. According to the lawsuit, the company violated U.S. copyright law by hosting the documents on its educational platform without the university’s permission and by altering the files to conceal the infringement. The compliant alleged that the defendant removed the university’s copyright statements and replaced them with its own. According to court documents, the defendant violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act 3,015 times. The jury awarded $25,000 in damages for each violation, bringing total damages to $75,375,000.
Jury Awards Family $241 Million After Man Dies From Dry Ice Exposure While Delivering Frozen Strawberries — Liability
A Madison County jury has awarded $241 million to the family of a man who died after transporting frozen strawberries packed with dry ice. The victim was found unconscious approximately 90 minutes after he collected the strawberries from a dairy cooperative. According to the lawsuit, the dry ice sublimated into carbon dioxide, causing the victim to lose consciousness. He was transported to a hospital but died three days later. The plaintiff’s attorney argued that the dairy cooperative failed to follow OSHA standards and did not have an appropriate hazard communication program. As a result, the victim was not warned about the presence of dry ice, and the coolers were not labeled. The lawsuit further alleged that the victim was not advised to take precautionary measures despite driving a hatchback that was unsuitable for hauling dry ice. Attorneys for the family said they plan to pursue further legal action against insurance companies that handled claims related to the case.
Health Care Provider Faces $108.6 Million Verdict in Birth-injury Case — Medical Malpractice
A jury has awarded $108.6 million in a birth-injury case against a large health care provider after finding that a physician’s actions during delivery caused permanent brain injury to a child. The child, now 7 and a half, has suffered damage affecting cognitive and intellectual function. As the child grows into an adult, his brain function will remain essentially that of a toddler, according to the plaintiff’s attorneys. The award included $1.4 million for pain and suffering, $1 million for loss of earnings, and $106.1 million for future medical and other expenses.
The financial and legal impact of liability claims can be significant, particularly when risks are not identified or addressed proactively. Although no organization can prevent every incident, having the right insurance coverage and proactive risk management approach in place can help reduce exposure and improve preparedness when challenges arise. If you would like to better understand how your policies respond to these types of risks, contact our team to to review your coverage and discuss your organization’s exposures.
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This publication is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. Readers should contact a licensed insurance professional or attorney for appropriate advice. ©2026 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
