Many states require defendants to post an appeal bond – sometimes equal to 150 percent of a verdict – in order to secure the right to appeal.
In an era when billion-dollar verdicts are no longer uncommon, appealing a jury verdict can force an individual, a company, or an industry into bankruptcy.
ATRA supports appeal bond reform legislation that limits the size of an appeal bond when a company is not liquidating its assets or attempting to flee from justice.
Limits the amount of an appeal bond to $50 million for all judgments against all defendants.
Limits the amount a defendant can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
Limits the amount a signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement can be required to pay to secure the right to appeal to $100 million.
Broadens the $100 million limit from 2001 to include punitive damage awards.
Expands limit of $25 million on appeal bond amounts for punitive damages to apply to appeal bond amounts for all forms of damages.
Lowers the amount a defendant can be required to pay to appeal a decision from $75 million to $25 million not to exceed 125% of the judgment.
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