KILLEEN, Texas – The Carlson Law Firm is celebrating national recognition for its $61 million jury verdict against Honda, which earned multiple distinctions on TopVerdict's lists of the largest jury verdicts of 2025.
The verdict, secured on behalf of a family who lost two loved ones following a vehicle fire, was recognized as the No. 1 verdict in Texas in five categories, including defective product, auto product liability and vehicular death.
The case also ranked among the top motor vehicle accident and wrongful death verdicts nationwide, earning a place on TopVerdict's list of the 100 largest jury verdicts in the United States in 2025.
Honda Verdict Earns Five No. 1 Rankings in Texas
TopVerdict recognized the $61 million verdict in Moreno, et al. v. Honda Development & Manufacturing of America LLC as Texas' largest 2025 plaintiff's jury verdict in five categories:
- Defective Product
- Defective Product Design
- Defective Auto Equipment
- Auto Product Liability
- Vehicular Death
The case also received recognition on four additional TopVerdict lists:
- Top 10 Motor Vehicle Accident Verdicts in Texas in 2025
- Top 20 Motor Vehicle Accident Verdicts in the United States in 2025
- Top 20 Wrongful Death Verdicts in the United States in 2025
- Top 100 Verdicts in the United States in 2025
The five No. 1 distinctions are included in TopVerdict's Number 1 Verdicts in Texas in 2025. Together, these rankings recognize the significance of the verdict in both Texas and the national legal landscape.
“We're honored to see this verdict recognized, but behind that number is a family whose lives were changed forever,” said Brantley White, trial attorney with White & Carlson and Of Counsel to The Carlson Law Firm. “No verdict can bring back the loved ones they lost, but this family had the opportunity to have their case heard and hold a manufacturer accountable.”
The $61 Million Verdict Against Honda
The verdict stems from a March 2021 crash involving a 2012 Honda Odyssey that caught fire after being struck from behind by another vehicle. First responders were able to rescue the driver and her young children, but two other family members died following the fire.
During the trial, attorneys argued that defects in the Odyssey's fuel system and rear structure allowed the collision to result in a deadly fire. Evidence presented to the jury showed gasoline vapors escaping from the damaged fuel tank and igniting.
Following an eight-and-a-half-day trial in Hidalgo County, Texas, jurors returned a $61 million verdict in October 2025. The case was handled by Brantley White and Philip Koelsch of White & Carlson, alongside Jesse Zambrano and Edgar E. Garcia Jr. of Zambrano Law Firm.
The verdict brought an important measure of accountability for a family whose lives were permanently changed by the crash.
Recognition Reflects the Importance of Product Safety and Accountability
The TopVerdict rankings highlight the significance of a case involving both a fatal motor vehicle collision and allegations of defective vehicle design. For families affected by catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, pursuing a product liability claim can mean confronting a major manufacturer over decisions that may have contributed to a preventable tragedy.
The Carlson Law Firm's work in the Honda case reflects its commitment to investigating complex claims and challenging manufacturers when defective products cause serious harm. While the verdict has received statewide and national recognition, the case is a reminder of the devastating consequences that vehicle safety failures can have for families.
The Carlson Law Firm Recognized Among the Nation's Top Verdicts
The Honda verdict's inclusion on multiple 2025 TopVerdict lists adds to The Carlson Law Firm's record of representing individuals and families in complex personal injury, product liability and wrongful death litigation.
Above all, the firm remains committed to standing with families facing devastating losses and pursuing accountability when dangerous products and negligence cause harm.
“We appreciate the work behind this case being recognized on a national level, but our focus has always been on the family and what they've been through,” said Craig Carlson, managing partner at The Carlson Law Firm. “They experienced a loss no family should have to endure, and we're proud of the attorneys who stood beside them and fought to make sure their voices were heard.”
About The Carlson Law Firm
The Carlson Law Firm is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm dedicated to delivering compassionate, client-focused legal representation. Known for achieving record-breaking results, we’ve recovered billions by handling cases involving auto and trucking accidents, workplace injuries, defective products, dangerous drugs, nursing home neglect, birth injuries, wrongful death, family law, criminal defense and more. Our attorneys are committed to securing justice and meaningful recovery for individuals and families impacted by negligence and injustice.
About White & Carlson
White & Carlson, the Corpus Christi office of The Carlson Law Firm, represents clients nationwide in complex personal injury cases. Led by attorneys Brantley White and Craig Carlson, the office combines decades of trial experience with the resources of a national firm to fight for individuals and families harmed by catastrophic accidents, defective products, corporate negligence and wrongful deaths.
