Free Newsletter
Kickback scheme results in $12M damages’ award
Where the United States showed a company violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks in connection with Medicare submissions, the United States was awarded $12,036,554.48 in damages. Background This civil action is brought under the False Claims Act based on alleged violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute through a fraud perpetrated on the Medicare program […]
Party awarded more than $725K in attorneys’ fees
Where the buyer of three parcels of land prevailed in its suit against the sellers, after they refused to sign required rezoning forms, the buyer was awarded more than $725,000 in attorneys’ fees. Although the buyer originally sought over $1 million in attorneys’ fees, its request was reduced because of block billing and vague entries, […]
Army must reconsider pilot’s disability retirement rating
Where a former Army pilot presented a significant amount of evidence showing that he suffers from chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and that his PTSD was the result of the 1976 plane crash and/or his service in Vietnam, the Army acted arbitrarily and capriciously when it denied his application to correct his disability retirement […]
Patent holder awarded royalty, not injunction
Where a patent holder argued an infringing competitor should be permanently enjoined from selling the infringing products, its motion was denied. The patent holder was instead awarded a reasonable royalty to compensate it for the competitor’s continuing infringement and the loss of its right to exclude. Background After a six-day trial, the jury returned a […]
Google fails to transfer antitrust suit to SDNY
Where Google argued an antitrust suit brought by the United States and eight state plaintiffs should be transferred to the Southern District of New York, or SDNY, where over two dozen antitrust actions relating to Google’s presence in the online advertising technology industry have been transferred and consolidated by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation […]
Unvaccinated man’s disability bias claims dismissed
Where an electrician alleged that he was terminated by Fairfax County because of his refusal to comply with the county’s COVID-19 policy, his disability discrimination and retaliation claims were dismissed. It was implausible that the county regarded him as disabled simply because he was unvaccinated. Background Jacob Austin Schneider alleges that the County of Fairfax […]
Video game character trademark suit dismissed
Where a man challenged a decision denying his trademark application to register a character in his video game, but his appeal remained pending before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, or TTAB, the suit was dismissed. He first had to exhaust the administrative process before seeking judicial review. Background Joseph A. Stallard filed this civil […]
Home Depot dismisses race discrimination suit
Where a man alleged that Home Depot refused to honor an alleged promise to discount his moving truck fee because of his race, but he failed to plead any facts supporting this allegation, his suit was dismissed. Background Hazem Garada’s amended complaint alleges that Home Depot USA Inc. infringed plaintiff’s consumer and civil rights in […]
Unvaccinated employee’s ADA claims dismissed
Where an unvaccinated employee alleged his employer discriminated against him because he refused to comply with its COVID-19 policy, but the evidence showed the company did not regard him as disabled, there was no record of disability and he suffered no adverse employment action, his discrimination claim was dismissed. Background Jonathan David Leggo alleges that […]
Army prevails on religious bias claim
Where a woman alleged that the Army failed to accommodate her religion by requiring her to work on Sundays, but the record showed that she elected to work on Sundays, thus creating her own scheduling conflict with church services, the Army prevailed on the claim. Background Joy A. Allen, who is proceeding pro se, has […]
Woman enjoined from suing scholar again
Where a woman twice sued an academic scholar for defamation, and both lawsuits were dismissed, the court entered a permanent injunction prohibiting her from suing him for any allegations that were the subject of the prior lawsuits or a book published by the woman. Background On Dec. 31, 2020, Svetlana Lokhova sued Stefan A. Halper […]
Multiple claims by former civilian employee dismissed
Where a man challenged various employment actions taken against him while he served as a civilian employee for the federal government, his multicount complaint was dismissed because the court lacked jurisdiction over some of the claims and the remaining claims were implausible as a matter of law. Background In his amended complaint, Martin Akerman challenges […]
Verdicts & Settlements
- Jury reaches defense verdict in $4M med mal action
- Dental hygienist tripped, fractured right wrist, foot — $190,000 settlement
- Couple contracted Hepatitis A after dining at restaurant — $5.5M settlement
- Elderly man suffers hip fracture after attack by neighbor’s dog — $350,000 settlement
- Motorcyclist injured when vehicle abruptly changed lanes — $300,000 verdict
- Passenger ejected from car in high-speed chase crash — $685,000 settlement
- Defense verdict reached in fraud suit
- 8-year-old killed in crash involving tractor-trailer — $1,100,000 settlement
- Plaintiff conceived child after vasectomy — $250,000 settlement
- Delay in diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy led to surgery — $283,432.18 settlement
- Golfer stepped in sinkhole, fractured ankle — $442,000 verdict
- Jury sides with woman injured in rear-end collision — $300,000 verdict
viewpoint
- The promise and peril of artificial intelligence in patent law
- Keys to becoming an unfrazzled lawyer
- Confused about federal COVID-19 emergencies ending? You’re not alone
- Generative AI in law: New survey of lawyer perspectives and plans
- Four misconceptions about appeals
- Font choice exposes fabricated document
- USPTO launches first-time filer expedited exam pilot program
- In times of crisis, the ‘tug of war’ is over
- The ever-evolving Fourth Circuit
- Federal protections for pregnant, nursing employees coming
- It’s time for employers to embrace the ‘Big Quit’ and adapt
- Tell the whole truth? I’ll do better than that
Polls
Are you or your law firm cutting back on holiday gifts to clients, colleagues or associates?
- Yes, times are tough (78%, 29 Votes)
- No, it's business as usual (22%, 8 Votes)
Total Voters: 37
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