Chapman Lumber sued an attorney (Tager) for improper actions that harmed the lumber company's interests. A jury awarded Chapman Lumber $40,216.09 in damages. The trial court then reduced that award by offsetting it with money Chapman Lumber recovered from the attorney's client's bankruptcy estate—without telling Chapman Lumber or letting them argue against the reduction. Connecticut's Supreme Court reversed this decision, ruling the trial court cannot reduce a jury's damages award without notice and a hearing.
If you win a lawsuit and receive a damages award, the court cannot reduce it without notifying you and giving you a chance to be heard first.