You just got a letter that says the jury reached a decision, and the court will announce the verdict that afternoon. A verdict is the formal decision made at the end of a trial, usually by a jury and sometimes by a judge in a bench trial. It answers the main questions in the case, such as whether the defendant is legally responsible and, in a civil case, how much money should be awarded as damages.

In an injury lawsuit, the verdict is the point where the dispute stops being an argument and becomes an official court result. If the verdict is for the injured person, it may include payment for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. If it is for the defense, the injured person recovers nothing unless the result is later changed through an appeal or a post-trial motion.

A verdict also shapes settlement pressure long before trial. Lawyers look at likely verdicts when deciding whether to settle, especially in serious cases like falls, vehicle crashes, or worksite injuries. In New York, some claims never make it to a verdict if early rules are missed. For example, claims against the MTA or a city agency usually require a Notice of Claim within 90 days under New York General Municipal Law § 50-e. Missing that deadline can end the case before a jury ever hears it.