Welcome Back To The PI Brief
In this issue: A $966 million verdict rocks Los Angeles. The Texas legislature blocks a showdown over malpractice caps. A Florida firm shows us why old school direct mail still delivers. And an attorney who switched from defense to personal injury reveals his new competitive edge.
⚖️ Verdict Watch
Johnson & Johnson – $966 Million Verdict (October 2025)
A Los Angeles jury awarded $16 million compensatory and $950 million punitive in the case of Mae Moore (died from mesothelioma in 2021).
The verdict holds J&J fully liable for asbestos‑contaminated baby‑powder products. 
💡Why it matters: Signals high‑stakes exposure in product liability and gives plaintiffs’ firms strong leverage in med‑mal/intake messaging.
🏛️ Legislation Radar
Texas Eyes Cap Expansion on Noneconomic Damages
A proposed Texas bill would raise noneconomic damages caps in medical malpractice cases from $250k to $500k, adjusting for inflation.
Hearings expected early 2026.
💡Why it matters: If you handle medical malpractice in TX…
Or compete with those who do…
This could affect your intake messaging and projected case value.
📈 Strategy from a Top Firm
Gomez Trial Attorneys: Intake Audit → 27% Conversion Bump
San Diego-based Gomez Trial Attorneys audited their phone intake and found callers were waiting 42 seconds on average.
By shifting to an AI call routing system and incentivizing faster callbacks, they cut wait times by 70% and improved conversion from 48% to 61%.
💡Action: Time kills PI leads.
Audit your call logs, test AI routing, and set a callback SLA (especially for nights/weekends).
🧠 Marketing Moves
Targeted Direct-Mail Gets Cases
DTLA Law Group used Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) postcards in 2025.
They sent them to Los Angeles neighborhoods affected by environment exposure.
Direct results: they mailed ~15,456 pieces
Resulted in ~30 leads and 15 new clients.
💡Marketing Takeaway: If you choose the right niche and neighborhood, direct mail still converts… especially for high‑stakes PI cases.
🌟 Featured Lawyer
Michael Humphries | Humphries Law PLLC – Jacksonville, FL
“You call, you get me, and you get my cell phone number… I’ll take late-night calls and calls early in the morning.”
Humphries pivoted from defense to plaintiff-side personal injury. He emphasizes direct client access.
💡Tactic to steal: Humphries turns client access into a brand. His responsiveness isn’t just good service: it’s a strategic differentiator in a commoditized market.
By making himself the point of contact and showing up early or late, he wins trust before the case even starts.
🔧 Legal Tech Radar
Tool to Watch: Intaker AI
This tool prequalifies leads via smart chatbot before sending them to your CRM or intake team.
One mid-sized firm in FL reported a 15% drop in spam leads and 2x increase in booked consults.
💡Try it if: You’re overwhelmed with junk leads or can’t always answer the phone in real-time.
Until next time,
-The PI Brief