Two men. Two amputations. One dangerous subway station. In this episode of Trial Bible, host Gennady Voldz welcomes legendary trial attorney Peter S. Thomas to break down how he secured a $103.6 million verdict against the New York City Transit Authority—turning a tragic pattern of negligence at the Spring Street station into a mandate for change. Peter unpacks the strategy behind taking over a retrial, reframing a case involving intoxicated plaintiffs, and exposing the devastating consequences of unchecked speed policies in the subway system. This isn’t just a verdict—it’s a cultural reckoning.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
- Why Peter threw out the old trial transcript and started fresh
- How to reframe juror bias about intoxicated plaintiffs
- The data-driven strategy behind challenging subway speed policies
- How to cross-examine for maximum outrage (and impact)
- The difference between a real study and a “rail sim”
- How demonstrative evidence and real-time vulnerability drive damage awards
- Jury conditioning techniques that make asking for 9-figure verdicts possible
📍 KEY MOMENTS:
– Trial setup: Two cases, one station, two amputations
– Why Peter ignored the prior transcript entirely
– Jury selection: owning the facts about alcohol
– “You’ve all broken the law”: Crosswalk analogy + relatability
– The “struck list” and statistical smoking gun
– The aha cross: “Would you slow down 3, 2, or 1 MPH to save a life?”
– Transit’s refusal to change policy, even for 12 dangerous stations
– Qualified immunity dismantled: no real study, no defense
– Defense toxicologist admits: alcohol ≠ fault
– Live prosthetic reveal + emotional damage testimony
– How to condition a jury for a 9-figure number
– The final verdict: $103.6 million
– Trial self-care: Peter’s unexpected secret weapon
– The ripple effect: gates begin appearing in subway stations
🧰 PJI HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOUR REFERENCE:
Duty to a Passenger – PJI 2:161
Comparative Negligence – Intoxicated Person - PJI 2:45
Qualified Immunity - PJI 2:225b
Damages: Past Pain & Suffering – PJI 2:280
Damages: Future Pain & Suffering - PJI 2:281
🔎 GUEST CONTACT:
Peter S. Thomas – Trial Attorney [Check him out on LinkedIn] https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-thomas-b9850514/
📩 SUBSCRIBE & SHARE:
This episode isn’t just about two cases—it’s about preventing the next one. Share this episode with a colleague who believes in changing the system through the courtroom. Justice rides with those who speak up.