What determines whether a Michigan civil rights verdict is considered high value?

Several factors influence the value of a Michigan civil rights verdict, and no two cases are evaluated exactly the same way. Courts and juries generally consider:

• The severity and permanence of the harm, whether physical, psychological, or both
• The strength and clarity of the evidence showing a constitutional violation occurred
• Whether the conduct reflects a broader pattern or policy, rather than an isolated incident
• The credibility and impact of witness and client testimony at trial
• Punitive considerations, when a jury finds the conduct was especially reckless or intentional

Verdict value also depends heavily on trial experience. Jon Marko's record includes 20 consecutive seven and eight figure verdicts, among them the largest race discrimination verdict and the second largest religious accommodation verdict in world history. That trial experience shapes how a case is built from day one.