In Anderson v. Gibbs, the plaintiff, a member of the prominent New Orleans-based dance troupe, the 610 Stompers, sustained a permanent C4-7-disc injury resulting from a T-bone collision caused by the defendant’s failure to stop at a stop sign. In response, a New Orleans jury awarded the plaintiff $963,000 in non-economic damages, representing 15.08 times his medical expenses.

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Case Summary

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Case: Anderson v. Gibbs, 17-9919

Type: Auto Negligence

Plaintiff’s Attorneys: David P. Vicknair and Caitlin B. Carrigan, Scott Vicknair, New Orleans

Parish: Orleans

Verdict: $1,620,038 for the plaintiff

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Role of Anchor Point Consulting in Trial Preparation

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Anchor Point Consulting assisted the plaintiff’s legal team by facilitating jury focus group sessions. These focus group discussions enabled the attorneys to gain insights into juror perceptions of the plaintiff, evaluate how the defense’s arguments might be received, and adjust their strategy accordingly. The feedback allowed the attorneys to improve their approach, ultimately strengthening their case.

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Key Issues Addressed in Focus Groups

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• Plaintiff’s Membership in 610 Stompers: The plaintiff’s involvement in this well-known male dance troupe was a primary concern, as the defense heavily emphasized this detail during mediation.

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• Mediation Outcome: After unsuccessful mediation discussions, the plaintiff declined the defense’s final settlement offer of $250,000.

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• Anticipated Defense Strategies: The defense planned to deny liability and suggest that the plaintiff’s injuries were exaggerated. Part of their strategy involved mentioning the plaintiff’s continued dance participation post-accident and his chiropractic treatment before the collision.

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Attorney Commentary on Focus Group Impact – David Vicknair, plaintiff attorney

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• Unexpected Insights: “The focus group gave us confidence that the 610 Stomper aspect was a strength, not a weakness. Owning this narrative in court proved effective.”

• Primary Takeaway: “The focus group affirmed our case’s strength. We realized our concerns were overestimated. By controlling the narrative around points, we initially saw as weaknesses, we positioned this case well for a favorable verdict. We believed in our plaintiff’s case.”

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Outcome and Strategic Benefits

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After a five-day trial, a New Orleans jury found the defendant fully at fault and affirmed the plaintiff’s injury claims. Using focus-group insights allowed the plaintiff’s team to anticipate defense arguments, refine their presentation, and emphasize the plaintiff’s credibility and injuries. This proactive strategy, underscored by close attention to jury feedback, was instrumental in securing a favorable verdict. The successful verdict reflects the effectiveness of the strategic preparation and reinforces the value of focus-group testing in complex cases.