A Record Verdict?

I've covered the courts of this state since 1993, and I don't recall a jury verdict of this size: nearly $405 million awarded Saturday in a class-action lawsuit in Roane County Circuit Court. The case involves around 8,000 plaintiffs who sued over natural gas royalty payments. Punitive damages account for two-thirds of the verdict.

The Associated Press first reported the verdict Saturday, while The Times Record of Spencer offers some background about the trial. Defendant NiSource issued a statement Sunday calling the verdict "unprecedented and excessive," and warning it "could have a chilling effect on oil and natural gas development in the state."

UPDATE: The Charleston Gazette has an article today on the verdict and its potential impact.

UPDATE: I've added a link above to the AP story.