Jury Awards $2 Million to Woman in Herpes Transmission Lawsuit

The legal dispute centered on claims that Mariotti falsely assured Young he had been tested and was free of sexually transmitted infections. During the trial, jurors allocated the damages into two distinct categories: $1.2 million for past pain and suffering, and $800,000 to account for future physical and emotional distress.

Shaun Murphy, the lead attorney for Young, described the outcome as a significant recognition of the harm caused by dishonest conduct in intimate relationships. Murphy, who has secured similar verdicts ranging from $1.665 million to $6.75 million in previous litigation, noted that many individuals remain unaware of their legal recourse when such non-disclosure occurs. He emphasized that the verdict serves to underscore the responsibility partners have to provide accurate health information, asserting that the civil justice system exists to provide accountability when that trust is intentionally violated.