In the wake of a recent trend in asbestos claims involving talc cases, NERA experts have published an article in the latest ABA Section of Litigation Mass Torts Litigation newsletter, which features an analysis by Managing Director Dr. Faten Sabry and Senior Consultant Sungi Lee, et al. to evaluate the impact of punitive damages on verdict awards and settlement values. The authors analyze data from mesothelioma trial cases in 2019 and observe that punitive damages represent 52% of total trial verdict awards in states that allow for those damages. Punitive damages account for 69% of talc trial verdict awards, with only 20% applied in non-talc verdicts. The authors also find that the threat of punitive damages could impact settlements. Additional findings and analysis are available in the full report.