Studies/Reports |
In Federal Courts, Fewer Lawsuits But a Longer Wait |
Lawsuits filed in federal court declined about 6% in fiscal 2015, but the number of pending civil cases continued to grow, albeit more slowly, according to data released by Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on Tuesday.The 341,813 pending civil cases represented a little more than a 1% increase over the previous year, while the number of cases filed decreased to 279,036 in 2015 from 295,310 in 2014. The judicial backlog has grown about 28% since 2011. The pending cases included 34,244 matters that had been around for at least three years, 14% more than in fiscal 2014, according to the data. Meanwhile, criminal filings slipped in 2015 to 80,069 from 81,226. They have fallen 22% since 2011. JOE PALAZZOLO, WSJ Blogs 03/16/2016 |
Read Article: WSJ Blogs |
Laws/Cases |
Family of Now-Paralyzed HS Football Player Files Suit |
A lawsuit has been filed by the family of a Montana high school student who became paralyzed after collapsing with a concussion in September 2014. The lawsuit alleges that the teen's football coaches and trainer allowed him to play in a football game after suffering a concussion. According to the complaint, the coaches ignored a doctor's recommendation that the boy not return to play. The lawsuit was filed against Belt Valley School District, a football coach, Benefis Health System, an athletic trainer employed by Benefis, EMC Insurance Group, Dakota Fire Insurance Company and Employers Mutual Casualty Company. According to attorneys for the plaintiffs, the lawsuit will be seeking over $20 million in damages for the now-paralyzed 18-year-old. Kristen Cates, USA Today 03/15/2016 |
Read Article: USA Today |
U.S. Appeals Court Weighs Extent of GM's Bankruptcy Protection |
Attorneys for customers suing General Motors Co over faulty ignition switches urged a U.S. appeals court on Tuesday to throw out bankruptcy court rulings that they say shield the company from lawsuits potentially worth billions of dollars. A panel of three judges on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals did not clearly indicate during oral arguments how they might rule. A decision is expected within several months. JESSICA DYE, Reuters 03/16/2016 |
Read Article: Reuters |
Labor/Employment |
Energy Workers to Get $1.9M in Back Wages |
Five oil and gas companies, including three in the Houston area, must pay $1.9 million in back overtime wages to their employees as part of a four-year investigation into widespread wage violations in the energy industry, federal regulators announced this week. The money will go to 2,538 employees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. L.M. Sixel, Houston Chronicle 03/16/2016 |
Read Article: Houston Chronicle |
PUBLISHED BY TRIALSMITH, LITIGATION TOOLS FOR TRIAL LAWYERS |