Tort Law

This page within Virginia Tort Case Law is a compilation of cases reported by the Virginia Supreme Court and summarized by Brien Roche dealing with the topic of Closing Opening Statement Financial Status and the related topic of personal injury.  For more information on closing statements see the pages on Wikipedia.

Closing Opening Statement Financial Status

1966 Thomas v. Wingold, 206 Va. 967, 147 S.E.2d 116.

In hypothetical terms, plaintiff’s counsel referred to one defendant as insolvent implying other defendant was not. This was not grounds for mistrial.

1957 Virginia Linen Serv. v. Allen, 198 Va. 700, 96 S.E.2d 86.

Closing opening statement financial status.Arguing to jury that plaintiff may become ward of state is improper.

1952 MacGregor v. Bradshaw, 193 Va. 787, 71 S.E.2d 361.

During closing argument, counsel for defendant told jury that if they guessed wrong as to which of decedent’s estates was to pay, it would hurt that estate. Plaintiff’s counsel, in response, stated that verdict for plaintiff would not hurt either estate one penny. Both arguments improper; however, plaintiff’s argument was provoked by defendant’s so that they had no right to complain.

1943 Brann v. F. W. Woolworth Co., 181 Va. 213, 24 S.E.2d 424.

Improper argument on part of both counsel. Defense counsel argued that plaintiff filed suit only because defendant was large chain store with much money.