Peter Espey (Of Counsel-Madison, NJ) was quoted in the article “Economic Pressures, Younger Juries Mean NJ Awards Remain Elevated, Lawyers Say,” appearing in the October 22, 2026, edition of Law.com’s New Jersey Law Journal. Peter, who focuses his practice on Medical Malpractice, in addition to other areas, was interviewed along with another defense attorney and two plaintiffs’ attorneys about the increase in jury verdicts and settlements in New Jersey in 2026. The total amount from the top twenty personal injury awards in New Jersey increased by $82 million from 2025 to 2026.  Peter identifies possible reasons, including generational changes among potential jurors, explaining, “Some of the older potential jurors are aging out and less likely to serve, so it’s a new group of people that are the potential jurors. They might see things differently than their parents or grandparents.” Peter also cites inflation, economic strain, and lingering repercussions from the COVID pandemic as fueling litigation and larger settlements, noting that some plaintiffs' attorneys may also be becoming more selective, taking only higher-value cases.  He discussed other potential causes.