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What are some of the most notable successful mediations in civil and commercial law cases?

Littleton Lacelett

There have been numerous successful mediations in civil and commercial law cases that have made headlines over the years. Some of the most notable ones include the following:

1. McDonald's Hot Coffee Lawsuit: In 1992, a woman named Stella Liebeck suffered third-degree burns when she spilled hot coffee on herself while in a McDonald's drive-thru. She sued the fast-food chain, and the case eventually went to mediation. McDonald's agreed to settle for $600,000, and Liebeck received $160,000 in compensatory damages.

2. Apple and Samsung Patent Dispute: In 2012, Apple and Samsung were embroiled in a legal battle over infringed patents. The case went to mediation, and the two tech giants agreed to settle for an undisclosed amount. The settlement is estimated to have been in the billions of dollars.

3. Sony BMG Class-Action Lawsuit: In 2005, it was discovered that Sony BMG had installed rootkits on millions of its CDs that were sold to consumers. The CDs were designed to prevent consumers from copying the music, but they also left their computers vulnerable to hacking. A class-action lawsuit was filed, and the case went to mediation. Sony BMG agreed to pay $7.5 million in damages and offer free downloads of the affected CDs.

4. BP and Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, killing 11 workers and causing the largest accidental oil spill in history. BP was sued for billions of dollars in damages, and the case eventually went to mediation. BP agreed to pay $20 billion in damages over a period of five years.

5. United Airlines and Doctor David Dao: In 2017, United Airlines forcibly removed a passenger, Dr. David Dao, from an overbooked flight. The incident was caught on video and went viral, sparking outrage around the world. Dr. Dao sued the airline, and the case went to mediation. United Airlines agreed to an undisclosed settlement.

In each of these cases, mediation played a crucial role in resolving the disputes. Mediation allows the parties involved to come to a mutually beneficial agreement without the need for a lengthy and costly trial. It also allows for more creative solutions that may not be available in a courtroom setting.

Overall, successful mediations in civil and commercial law cases demonstrate the importance of alternative dispute resolution methods. By working together to find a solution, both parties can move forward and avoid further litigation expenses, stresses, and time-consuming proceedings.