News from February 2021
Seattle officer who forgot stun gun, fatally shot volatile woman is still facing lawsuit
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) – Officers who shot and killed a Washington State woman they say came at them with a knife will still have to face claims from the ensuing lawsuit.
Judge fears decision will make it hard for New York crime victims to receive benefits
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - The New York Office of Victim Services didn’t exceed its authority by limiting the fees lawyers representing crime victims could charge, the state’s highest court ruled, in a decision a dissenting judge said will make it harder for claimants to receive benefits.
Firefighter says dead battery in ambulance fell on his hand, forced him to retire
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - Allegations of negligence and reckless conduct were filed on Feb. 17 against Little Rock Ambulance Authority, doing business as Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS).
Legal Aid of Arkansas says Division of Workforce Services has been ignoring open records requests
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - Civil tension continues between Legal Aid of Arkansas, Inc., and the Arkansas Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Services (DWS), with a lawsuit filed on Feb. 18 from the former against the latter in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County.
Nestle sued over vanilla in Carnation Breakfast mixes
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – One of the latest vanilla lawsuits targets Carnation Breakfast Essentials.
California asbestos ruling a boost for companies facing punitive damages
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California appeals court has sharply limited the ability to obtain punitive damages against corporations, ruling in an asbestos lawsuit that the plaintiff had failed to identify specific employees who engaged in behavior deserving such punishment.
California court lets teacher claim wi-fi burns her skin in lawsuit against L.A. schools
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California appeals court restored a teacher’s lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District, saying she adequately claimed the district failed to accommodate her disabling sensitivity to microwave radiation.
Grandparents are now 'immediate family' in New York for lawsuit purposes
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York’s highest court has expanded the definition of “immediate family” to include grandparents in so-called bystander recovery lawsuits, broadening the number of people who can sue for compensation over witnessing the injury or death of a relative even though they suffered no physical injury themselves.
Man beats accusations he caused own ankle infection after surgery, keeps $1.5 million verdict
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) – A man who developed a chronic infection after surgery can keep his $1.5 million verdict despite arguments he was partly to blame for it, the Washington Court of Appeals has ruled.
Arkansas hospital's negligence caused patient's death, suit says
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - An Oklahoma woman is bringing civil charges against Arkansas' Washington Regional Medical Center and multiple other defendants for alleged negligence that caused her father's death, according to documents filed in the Circuit Court of Washington County, Ark.
NYC lawyer sued after failed representation of Manhattan inmate who was allegedly assaulted
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A New York City attorney is facing a civil lawsuit that alleges he botched a case representing an inmate who was assaulted at the Manhattan Detention Center, according to documents filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Bad advice on colonoscopies not 'continuous negligent medical treatment,' Delaware court finds
DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) – Health care providers can argue a lawsuit over a man’s death from colon cancer was filed too late, as the Delaware Supreme Court has rejected arguments that their once-every-five-years advice on colonoscopies was continuing medical negligence.
Feds seek cleanup costs from Wisconsin Public Service Corp.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (Legal Newsline) – The United States is suing the Wisconsin Public Service Corp. for cleanup costs at a site in Manitowoc County.
TOPDOG Legal Marketing LLC joins Arizona Attorney Daily, LexBlog Legal Blog communities
TOPDOG Legal Marketing has issued the following press release:TOPDOG Legal Marketing LLC is pleased to announce the acceptance of the company’s blog into the Arizona Attorney Daily and LexBlog legal blog networks.
Shareholders sue over Exxon stock drop despite rebound
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) – Shareholders of ExxonMobil have filed a class action lawsuit about its return on its Permian Basin assets.
Albany axe-throwing venue hits snag in lawsuit over COVID restrictions
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – An axe-throwing venue isn’t entitled to preliminary relief in its lawsuit against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state liquor authority.
Broken engagement gets even messier in court; What to do with the gifts?
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - The agreement a couple signed after breaking off their engagement may not be an enforceable contract, a Georgia appeals court ruled, breathing new life into a lawsuit by the would-be bride and her parents seeking the return of wedding gifts and expenses from her former fiancé.
Former law partner will preside over civil rights advocate's defamation case in Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – The next stop appears to be trial for the defamation lawsuit of a civil rights activist in Alabama who is suing the Selma Times-Journal.
New Mexico's governor says she shouldn't have been sued over new fees on pet food companies
SANTA FE, N.M. (Legal Newsline) – The challenge of new fees on pet food companies that will fund spays and neuters must be thrown out of court, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is arguing.
Public intoxication arrest of disoriented man turns into $6.3 million verdict against San Diego County
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - A California appeals court recently affirmed a $6.3 million verdict against San Diego County in the case of a man who suffered permanent brain damage after sheriffs’ deputies waved off paramedics and took him to jail for public intoxication.