Chapman Lumber, Inc. v. Tager
952 A.2d 1 | Supreme Court of Connecticut | 2008
What This Case Means for Subcontractors
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.
Key Takeaways
- •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.
- •Recoveries from a defendant's bankruptcy estate cannot automatically be subtracted from your jury award—this requires proper legal process.
- •Document all communications with attorneys and contractors carefully, as you may have claims against them even if you're not their direct client.
The judgment is recalculated as follows: Verdict: $40,216.09
Frequently Asked Question
Can a court reduce my damages award after a jury verdict without telling me?
No. According to this Connecticut case, a court cannot reduce or offset a jury's damages award without first notifying you and giving you the opportunity to argue against the reduction. Any modification to a jury verdict requires proper notice and a hearing where you can be heard.
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