Truck fails to yield, causes impairment to arm, leg - $700,000 Settlement 
Published: April 7, 2008
The plaintiff was operating a commercial truck along a two-lane highway. A dump truck driver waiting to enter the highway saw plaintiff approaching and, thinking that he had sufficient time, turned onto the highway and into plaintiff’s lane of travel with the intention of moving in the same direction as plaintiff. Plaintiff’s fully loaded truck [...]
Investors allege speculation in trading in U.S. Treasuries - $1,875,000+ verdict
Published: April 7, 2008
Claimants alleged and presented evidence that respondent, a registered securities representative from Denver, Colo., used unregistered agents to solicit and bring in customers for his margined U.S. Treasury trading program. These agents represented to the five claimants that they could sign the claimants up for an exclusive investment opportunity that was secure, fully insured [...]
Woman falls at U.Va. Hospital, dies from brain hemorrhage - Defense verdict
Published: April 7, 2008
This case is a wrongful death action brought by the adult children of a 79-year-old woman who died at the University of Virginia Hospital from an intracranial hemorrhage following a fall on the neurology floor. The decedent had been evaluated by the neurosurgical service for surgical correction of a suspected brain aneurysm. Surgery [...]
Motorcyclist suffers severe injuries in crash with police officer - $1,512,000 Settlement
Published: April 7, 2008
The plaintiffs, husband and wife, were returning home from work on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on a two-lane primary highway with the north and southbound lanes separated by painted road stripes.
The defendant, a county police officer, was operating a marked police cruiser on his way home from a day of driver’s training at a local speedway. [...]
Instructor’s role key in aviation case
Published: April 7, 2008
A Shenandoah County jury last month returned a $250,000 verdict for a student pilot injured in a plane crash – even though the plaintiff was a licensed pilot flying his own plane at the time of the crash. In one of the few aviation cases to go to a jury in Virginia, the student [...]
‘Hostile’ anti-Muslim claim can go to jury
Published: April 7, 2008
A rental company must defend at trial a Muslim employee’s Title VII claim of a hostile environment from coworkers calling him a terrorist, a towel head and a Taliban in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
In EEOC v. Sunbelt Rentals Inc. (VLW 008-2-052), a Maryland federal district judge acknowledged that the “coarse behavior” at the [...]
Douglass is new law dean at University of Richmond
Published: April 7, 2008
John G. Douglass, acting dean at the University of Richmond law school since July 1, has been named dean of the school.
Douglass took the interim position after former dean Rodney A. Smolla left for the Washington and Lee University law school with the understanding that he would not be a candidate for the full-time post.
Part [...]
Magistrate system is upgraded, pay is not
Published: April 7, 2008
Tags: General Assembly
The General Assembly approved this year the structure for a system that should result in better trained and managed magistrates.
That structure represents a substantial financial commitment, especially in a year with a budget shortfall. It will require $3.6 million for 35 positions to be created in the next fiscal year and $4.3 million in fiscal [...]
Thanks for not suing, Feinberg tells VTLA
Published: April 7, 2008
Kenneth Feinberg wants to congratulate personal injury lawyers for not filing suit.
Feinberg served as special master for distribution of the federally funded 9/11 Fund for victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. He came to the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association annual meeting at The Homestead on March 28 because he said he takes every opportunity to [...]
Youth advocate urges reforms
Published: April 7, 2008
Andy Block of Charlottesville thinks that too many children accused of crime are getting caught up in the adult justice system. Block – a much-honored child advocate – offered “modest proposals” for reforms at the recent meeting of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association at the Homestead.
Block questions “whether Virginia is getting what it wanted” [...]
GET THE VLW DAILY ALERT
The Daily Alert from Virginia Lawyers Weekly brings you the latest legal news every morning in your e-mail. You’ll get headline news, a link to the day’s Top Opinion and more!
Click here for more info.
