Federal Gov
Republicans vote to reign in 'rogue' CFPB
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Following a hearing in which Republicans criticized what they feel is overreach by a federal agency, a House committee last week voted to repeal limits credit card companies can charge for late fees.
State AG
Drug Take Back Day is April 27
State Court
'Kick my ass': Doctor's statement after problem in surgery ruled inadmissible
NEWPORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - A surgeon who allegedly told the family of a patient to "kick my ass, I deserve it" after complications led to severe blood loss has won in court again after the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled the statement inadmissible.
Reform
Atlanta business owner: Lawsuits are ‘causing auto and commercial rates to explode’
Chris Hellgeth, owner of the Atlanta-based fuel-hauling company Vi-Mac, has called for "tort reform" to prevent lawsuits from "causing auto and commercial rates to explode." Hellgeth made this statement in an April 16 post on X.
In the wake of escalating auto insurance rates in Georgia, a small but significant legal reform could signal the beginning of relief for drivers across the state - if the House would take action…
From WV Record
From WV Record
Arizona Estate Law Firm Unveils New Brand, Website
Chandler, Arizona (AZ) attorney Bernard M. Strass is excited to announce fresh branding and a new website for his AZ estate law firm, Desert Rose Estate and Elder Law. The law firm’s new name reflects a full concentration on estate and life planning that enables Strass to provide focused and dedicated legal services for these matters. It also honors Strass’s father, Luke, who owned Desert Draperies and Interiors in Phoenix for many years and Strass’s mother’s family, the Roses.
Coash Court Reporting & Video Announces Acquisition, Rebrand, New Website
The team at Coash Court Reporting & Video is excited to announce the acquisition of the court reporting agency by Cristina and Jerry Coash Jr. The company’s transition kicked off with rebranding and the debut of its new, user-friendly website.
Federal Court
Limestone Univ. settles claims over hidden camera in locker room
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - Anonymous plaintiffs allegedly filmed in locker rooms at Limestone University in South Carolina who then saw the footage on pornography sites have reached a settlement.
Lawsuits
Lawsuit: Ferry crash at Disney World dumped man into garbage can
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A visitor to Disney World says a ferry taking him to the park crashed, causing him to sustain injuries and fall into a trash can.
Lawsuits
Lawsuit against Boston Housing Authority blames slow response for man's death
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - The Boston Housing Authority is accused of not responding to an emergency situation for more than an hour, leading to a man's death.
Attorneys & Judges
Luxury Handbag Company, Founder and Co-Conspirator Sentenced for Smuggling Handbags Made from Caiman and Python Skin
Luxury handbag company Gzuniga Ltd., its founder Nancy Teresa Gonzalez de Barberi and Gonzalez’s associate Mauricio Giraldo were sentenced to prison today for illegally importing merchandise from Colombia to the United States that was made from protected wildlife. All had previously pleaded guilty.Gzuniga was ordered to forfeit all handbags and other previously seized product, banned for three years from any activities involving commercial trade in wildlife and sentenced to serve three years of probation. Gonzalez was sentenced to 18 months in prison with credit for time...
Attorneys & Judges
New Jersey Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Breaking into Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University and Destroying Property
A New Jersey man has been charged with a federal hate crime for breaking into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and destroying property."Jacob Beacher, 24, of Somerset County, was arrested this morning and charged by complaint with one count of intentional or attempted obstruction of religious practice and one count of making false statements to federal authorities." According to the criminal complaint, on April 10, during the Eid-al-Fitr holiday, Beacher broke into the CILRU around 2:41 a.m., where he damaged the...
Lawsuits
Wrongful death suit filed against dumpster company after cyclist killed in Boston
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - A lawsuit against a dumpster company alleges one of its trucks struck and dragged a cyclist in Boston, killing him.
Federal Court
PFAS case against Cava never makes it to class action status
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - Class action lawyers won't be moving forward with their PFAS lawsuit against the Mediterranean food restaurant chain Cava Grill.
Lawsuits
Fla. lawyer accused of mishandling funds
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A recent lawsuit accuses a Florida lawyer of mishandling funds that were supposed to be used to support a victim of medical malpractice.
Lawsuits
Lawsuit alleges gun went off without trigger being pulled and shot man in abdomen
SEARCY, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - An Arkansas lawsuit alleges a gun made by Colt's Manufacturing went off without the trigger being pulled, causing serious injuries.
Lawsuit: Ferry crash at Disney World dumped man into garbage can
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A visitor to Disney World says a ferry taking him to the park crashed, causing him to sustain injuries and fall into a trash can.
Lawsuit against Boston Housing Authority blames slow response for man's death
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - The Boston Housing Authority is accused of not responding to an emergency situation for more than an hour, leading to a man's death.
Lawsuit filed over cable-railroad dispute
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - CSX says Cox Communications plans to install cable lines under its tracks, without regard for safety.
Fla. lawyer accused of mishandling funds
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A recent lawsuit accuses a Florida lawyer of mishandling funds that were supposed to be used to support a victim of medical malpractice.
Lawsuit alleges gun went off without trigger being pulled and shot man in abdomen
SEARCY, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - An Arkansas lawsuit alleges a gun made by Colt's Manufacturing went off without the trigger being pulled, causing serious injuries.
Lawyers miss med-mal deadline but COVID orders keep lawsuit alive
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Tolling orders in the COVID era have saved a medical malpractice lawsuit in Michigan, as a state appeals court has ruled the plaintiff had extra time to file.
State treasurer announces SMART529 board votes to drop China investments from portfolio
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Treasurer Riley Moore has announced a state program that oversees the SMART529 is adopting his proposal to exclude China-based investments.
American Tort Reform Association president: California trial lawyers invest in advertising to ‘boost settlements and payouts’
Sherman "Tiger" Joyce, president of the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), stated that trial attorneys in California "pump significant money" into advertising campaigns to attract "more clients" and secure "larger contingency fees for themselves." Joyce made this statement in a press release dated March 19.
South Carolina Senate passes citizen only voting amendment
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Senate has passed a resolution that would allow citizens to decide whether only American citizens can vote in state elections.
W.Va. governor, Senate president want non-citizen voting amendment on special session agenda
CHARLESTON – A resolution that would put a constitutional amendment before voters this fall to ensure non-citizens are unable to vote in West Virginia elections likely will be on the agenda for a planned special session.
Luxury Handbag Company, Founder and Co-Conspirator Sentenced for Smuggling Handbags Made from Caiman and Python Skin
Luxury handbag company Gzuniga Ltd., its founder Nancy Teresa Gonzalez de Barberi and Gonzalez’s associate Mauricio Giraldo were sentenced to prison today for illegally importing merchandise from Colombia to the United States that was made from protected wildlife. All had previously pleaded guilty.Gzuniga was ordered to forfeit all handbags and other previously seized product, banned for three years from any activities involving commercial trade in wildlife and sentenced to serve three years of probation. Gonzalez was sentenced to 18 months in prison with credit for time...
Supreme Court boots ballot challenges to Trump, says states can't block presidential candidates under 14th Amend
The unanimous ruling strikes down rulings from Democratic judges in Colorado and Cook County, which had declared individual states have the power under the Fourteenth Amendment to block "insurrectionists" from seeking federal office
Inaction by Ga. House will help car-crash plaintiffs who weren't wearing their seatbelts still hit jackpots
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - When a Georgia woman's airbag didn't deploy during a 2020 crash, she hit her head on the windshield and sued Ford, which figured it had the ultimate defense: She wasn't even wearing her seatbelt.
Bankruptcy plan to avoid asbestos lawsuits approved despite company's massive value
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - The contested strategy of a Georgia-Pacific unit created to clear asbestos claims will continue in bankruptcy court, a judge has ruled much to the dismay of plaintiff lawyers hoping to get their clients bigger paydays in civil courts.
It's raining asbestos: Court rejects case over steam line explosion in Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - A Tennessee woman's lawsuit over an explosion of an Eastman Chemical Company steam pipe has failed, as an appeals court has ruled that it is basically an asbestos case.
No cash for woman in case of exploding showerhead
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newline) - A woman who claimed she was injured by an exploding shower nozzle failed to muster any evidence a hotel was to blame, an appeals court ruled, rejecting her argument a maid must have damaged the device while she was out shopping.
Limestone Univ. settles claims over hidden camera in locker room
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - Anonymous plaintiffs allegedly filmed in locker rooms at Limestone University in South Carolina who then saw the footage on pornography sites have reached a settlement.
Report finds mass tort litigation relies on third-party financing, questionable science
The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), an organization dedicated to the reform of the civil justice system, has released a report outlining the tactics employed by trial lawyers in mass tort litigation. According to the report, these practices often involve third-party litigation financing (TPLF), reliance on questionable scientific evidence, and extensive advertising campaigns.