Type of action: Auto accident/personal injury Injuries alleged: Plaintiff claimed orthopedic injuries to neck and shoulder (resolved) as well as permanent lumbar spine injuries Court: Stafford County Circuit Court Tried before: Jury Name of judge or mediator: Judge Joseph J. ...

Tagged with: Auto Accident Judge Joseph J. Ellis Stafford County Circuit Court Verdict

State Sen. Chap Petersen and his litigation client together have been sanctioned for filing what a judge termed a “speculative” lawsuit over business losses by a franchisee. Retired Circuit Judge Joseph J. Ellis – sitting in Fairfax County – ordered ...

Tagged with: Fairfax County Judge Joseph J. Ellis Sanctions Sen. Chap Petersen

Where appellee was charged with violating a curfew imposed by an emergency order issued by Fredericksburg’s city manager, the city had the authority to do so. Facts After the governor imposed curfews in several cities in response to civil unrest ...

Tagged with: Criminal Fredericksburg Circuit Court Judge Joseph J. Ellis Virginia Circuit Courts

A plaintiff was liable for the defendants’ fees and costs because the plaintiff’s claims lacked merit and its conduct was unreasonable. Background On Dec. 20, 2016, Valador filed a second amended complaint against defendants HTC Corporation, HTC America, Inc. and ...

Tagged with: Intellectual Property Judge Joseph J. Ellis U.S. District Court - Eastern District

Annette Clements alleged that the defendant gynecologist negligently injured her right ureter during a laparoscopic hysterectomy on May 14, 2014. The patient had been diagnosed with symptomatic fibroids and an enlarged uterus and authorized the defendant gynecologist to surgically remove ...

Tagged with: Judge Joseph J. Ellis Medical Malpractice Million-Dollar Defense Verdicts Spotsylvania Circuit Court

A defendant driver said in his deposition that he couldn’t remember key details of a car crash, but his pre-suit description of the crash to his insurance company was not entitled to work-product privilege. Background Plaintiff Angel Monterrozo was injured ...

Tagged with: Evidence Insurance Judge Joseph J. Ellis Personal Injury Tort Virginia Circuit Courts

The Supreme Court of Virginia had mostly good news this month for lawyers seeking damages in state courts. The court opened doors for disgruntled consumers and removed one possible hurdle for litigants seeking punitive damages. The court also made it ...

Tagged with: Attorney General Mark Herring Consumer Protection Judge Charles F. Sharp Judge F. Patrick Yeatts Judge Joseph J. Ellis Justice Cleo E. Powell Justice William C. Mims Lynchburg Circuit Court Personal Injury Spotsylvania Circuit Court Stafford County Circuit Court Supreme Court of Virginia News

A trial judge who described an adulterous wife’s conduct as “beyond reprehensible” failed to justify awarding her a reservation of spousal support, the Court of Appeals said when it reversed that decision May 5. Granting a divorce on the ground ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge Joseph J. Ellis Judge Randolph A. Beales Spotsylvania Circuit Court Virginia Court of Appeals News

On Sept. 15, 2008, plaintiff was traveling on Brock Road in Spotsylvania when the defendant ran a stop sign and struck the left front of her vehicle. Just after the first defendant struck her, another car slammed into her rear. ...

Tagged with: Judge Joseph J. Ellis Personal Injury Spotsylvania Circuit Court

Plaintiff, age 16, was a passenger in his cousin’s vehicle. The vehicle went off the road and struck a tree. At the accident scene, the defendant allegedly apologized to the plaintiff, and told him that she had fallen asleep. Plaintiff ...

Tagged with: Judge Joseph J. Ellis Personal Injury Spotsylvania Circuit Court