The law library recently purchased VerdictSearch. VerdictSearch is a verdict reporter that solicits feedback from the winning and losing attorneys. VerdictSearch uses consistent data-collection criteria across all jurisdictions, so when users compare cases, you will get comprehensive and unbiased analysis.
The most common search is for case-valuation purposes. Researchers want to know what a particular injury is worth in a particular venue, for a plaintiff of a particular age and/or gender. These searches can also include the relevant insurer. Other common searches include expert-witness histories, lawyer or law-firm histories, searches for cases with comparable fact patterns, and searches for cases against particular parties.
Jurisdiction Coverage
Besides Texas, VerdictSearch also covers 13 other jurisdictions, including California, Carolinas, D.C. Metro, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New England, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and National.
Content Coverage
VerdictSearch comprises more than 200,000 cases. In some venues, its coverage dates to the 1980s, but most venues have about 20 years of data.
Each case report includes a full narrative of the facts, allegations, injuries, damages and result. Other key data points include, when available and relevant, expert witnesses, attorneys and law firms, insurers and coverage limits, settlement offers and demands, and docket information, such as the caption, index number, court and judge.
Access to VerdictSearch
Law school users can visit VerdictSearch or find it in the Law Library Electronic Resources List. Law school users can access VerdictSearch off campus with eRaider. Though you do not need to create individual account, you must click Login icon at the top right corner to start your research.
Searching in VerdictSearch
VerdictSearch allows users to combine several or many parameters to ensure case results match your exact criteria. As users enter search terms and make selections in drop-down menus, the red preview box will display how many results match the current criteria. Run a search at any time by clicking the Search button in that red preview box. Users can use any or all criteria on the screen to narrow results.
Search fields include:
- Keyword box – at the top of the search screen. You can enter a single search term, using standard Boolean search operands (AND, OR, etc). Putting phrases in quotes will ensure all words are matched. Examples of searches using this field can be found by clicking the ? button at the top right of the box.
- State & Venue – allows you to narrow your search to particular states or even county court systems
- Case Details – allows you to search for injury type or case type, with many options
- Ex. Dog Bites involving Wrist injury
- Ex. Medical Malpractice involving Cardiac incidents
- People – search cases involving particular judges, experts, lawyers or parties, or demographics of parties (i.e. infants or women aged 40-65)
Once a user has run a search, you will see filters on the left-hand side of the page, which allow you to further refine your results. Simply check off the boxes of the additional restrictions you’d like to place on your results and click the red Search button on the pop-up to update your results. To remove filters, click the red X next to them at the top of the Filter section.
Download Copies of Cases
Cases can be exported in PDF or Word form from the database, either singly or a full page of search results. Cases have condensed and full-view options upon printing or exporting. If you need to download more than 10 cases per day, please contact law library for help.
From the Search Results page, you can export all of your cases to PDF or Word by clicking the appropriate buttons at the top of the list. Exports are limited to a single page of search results. You can export all cases in full, or select a summary instead. You can also email a set of cases using the Email button.
From the single case view, you have the option to export the case as a PDF or Word Document, either a full case view or a one-page version. You can also email the case using the Email button.
If you have any questions, please contact Electronic & Digital Services Librarian, Dajiang Nie, at dajiang.nie@ttu.edu.
The Reporter 