South Carolina Supreme Court
Recent News About South Carolina Supreme Court
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Jury of one: Asbestos judge fattens verdicts when she wants
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - A South Carolina judge criticized as overly generous to plaintiffs in asbestos cases is making defendants pay whatever she feels, despite what juries and federal courts say, and was just given approval to do so by the state Supreme Court. -
Winner of $63M talc verdict worked in asbestos-filled building but jurors never knew
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - A man who won a $63 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson over what he claims was asbestos-contaminated talcum powder worked in a building later condemned for being “full of asbestos” and told his doctor about his suspected exposure to the deadly fibers. -
'No punt' football coach wins $200K in lawsuit over email criticizing his paperwork
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - A high school football coach who was demoted after adopting a disastrous “no punt” strategy can keep $200,000 a jury awarded him in a lawsuit over an email criticizing his paperwork skills, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled. -
South Carolina companies facing injury lawsuits can be liable for hiring wrong contractor
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - Answering for the first time the question of whether a company can be liable for hiring the wrong independent contractor, the South Carolina Supreme Court said “yes.” -
Nonprofit earns right to challenge South Carolina AG's $75M transfer to private lawyers
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - A nonprofit organization can challenge South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson’s transfer of $75 million in contingency fees to outside lawyers, the state’s highest court ruled, saying it was “an issue of public importance” because the AG may make several other such transfers including fees associated with a $300 million settlement of opioid claims. -
Restaurant company's theory fails as it seeks insurance money for COVID loss of business
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) – The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled against restaurants seeking to recover the financial drain of the COVID-19 pandemic from their insurers. -
After girl is pricked by needle in parking lot, Target fights to avoid seven-figure judgment
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) – Target will still be liable for injuries a little girl suffered when she picked up a hypodermic needle in one of its parking lots but a $4.5 million punitive damages award will likely be reduced. -
South Carolina Supreme Court rejects key argument for asbestos defendants, affirms $16M verdict
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) – An asbestos defendant hoping to invoke the Workers’ Compensation process in South Carolina has failed and will instead be on the hook for a $16 million verdict. -
Why is South Carolina a 'hotspot' for asbestos lawsuits?
The number of asbestos cases filed nationally is down 9%, so why are they skyrocketing in South Carolina? -
The South Carolina Supreme Court has unleashed a 'now-unrestrained menace,' justice warns
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - A teacher who claims school administrators engaged in a civil conspiracy to have her fired for reporting a student to the police will have another shot at proving her case after the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned its own precedent. -
Ford could be held liable for accident victim's suicide
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - Ford might be found liable for the wrongful death of a man who committed suicide after being injured by an automotive airbag, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled in a decision advising a federal appeals court on a disputed question of state law. -
Settlements cancel showdown in South Carolina over 'unfair' trial practice
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - Plaintiffs dismissed a pair of talc lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson before the question of whether they should be combined in a single trial was presented to the South Carolina Supreme Court, postponing a decision on a practice defendants say unfairly prejudices them with jurors. -
Case of woman who died in wreck after sister allegedly robbed Wal-Mart continues in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) – The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed a circuit court’s decision over the battle to use evidence of alleged negligent hiring of security personnel in a lawsuit over the death of the sister of an alleged shoplifter at a Walmart. -
South Carolina Supreme Court affirms agricultural use of river water
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) – The South Carolina Supreme Court on July 19 ruled against those who challenged the Surface Water Withdrawal Act. -
Washington Legal Foundation seeks overturning of $124M South Carolina Risperdal verdict
The Washington Legal Foundation recently filed a friend-of-the-court brief to support the overturning of a $124 million South Carolina Supreme Court decision regarding the information drug manufacturers share with doctors about the potential side effects of drugs. -
South Carolina SC allows class action against car dealers for allegedly unfair closing fees
The car dealership, on appeal, argued the trial judge misinterpreted the “closing fee” term, and that the case shouldn’t have reached the trial phase to begin with. -
South Carolina SC revives home builders' suit against school district
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) -- The South Carolina Supreme Court, in a ruling last week, revived a lawsuit filed by home builders against a school district for so-called "impact fees" on new homes built in the district. -
South Carolina SC favors landfill in lawsuit over odors
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) -- The South Carolina Supreme Court, in a ruling last week, sided with a mega landfill in a case brought against it by residents who complained of its odors. -
S.C. high court upholds sales tax exemptions
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) -- The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled this week that the state's sales and use tax exemption and cap scheme, as a whole, does not violate the state constitution's equal protection guarantee and prohibition against special legislation.
