Trailer manufacturer Wabash’s nuclear verdict lawsuit settled

Core Viewpoint - Wabash National has settled a significant legal case involving a nuclear verdict, which initially posed a financial threat exceeding $460 million, but has now reduced its exposure to $30 million out-of-pocket expenses beyond insurance payouts [1][3][8]. Group 1: Legal Case Details - The original verdict against Wabash was one of the largest nuclear verdicts recorded, particularly against a publicly traded trucking-related defendant [2]. - The Missouri Circuit Court later reduced the punitive damages to $108 million, while the compensatory award remained at $11.5 million [5]. - The trial lasted two weeks, with the jury reaching a verdict after only three hours of deliberation [6]. Group 2: Incident Background - The case stemmed from a 2019 crash involving a Wabash trailer, where two individuals were killed when a car collided with the trailer [6]. - Testimony indicated that the car was traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour at the time of the accident [6]. - Wabash's defense argued that its trailer's rear guard barriers complied with government specifications at the time of manufacture [6]. Group 3: Settlement Context - Wabash's settlement was disclosed in an SEC filing, but no media statement was issued publicly [7]. - The company maintains that the original verdict was not supported by the facts or law, yet opted for a settlement to mitigate financial risk [8].