There’s an apocryphal story of a young Hollywood writer bragging to a veteran movie producer on the quality of his script, extolling that “it’s not only a great comedy, but it also has a message.” To which the producer replied, “Just write me the comedy. Messages are for Western Union.”

Yet, sending a message remains an inherent part of trial strategies and jury deliberations, particularly in personal injury and liability cases. In recent years it can be argued that juries are more inclined than ever to give eye-catching awards, and responsible businesses and insurers are taking note. Together with law professors and other attorneys, I was recently interviewed for an article on the possible justification for these verdicts increasing in size, if not in frequency.