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Foiled suitor can keep ring
The Supreme Court of Virginia has resolved a long-standing split among Virginia trial judges on what happens when love fades and leaves a property dispute in its wake.
Client’s Legal Malpractice Claims Advances
A Loudoun County Circuit Court denies cross-motions for summary judgment filed by the parties in a suit alleging defendants committed legal malpractice in asserting a claim for the spousal elective share by filing a counterclaim against decedent’s estate in the estate’s suit for aid and direction. This matter concerns the actions of defendants during the […]
Claim against firm over elective share must be tried
A Northern Virginia circuit judge has allowed a legal malpractice suit over a wife’s elective share claim to go to trial this fall, declining an invitation to cut the case short by finding the defendant law firm liable as a matter of law. The case turns on the strict requirements in Virginia law for claiming […]
Lawyer can’t tap firm’s auto policy for accident
A Washington lawyer who did some legal work at his Virginia home was nonetheless not covered by his law firm’s auto insurance policy for an accident on the way to the office that left another man seriously injured. The decision came April 16 from the Supreme Court of Virginia. The court’s opinion is Bartolomucci v. […]
Rehab hospital patient was at risk due to cognitive deterioration – $1,150,000 Verdict
Plaintiff’s decedent was 69 years old, working successfully as a stockbroker and independent in all activities of daily living. On Nov. 1, 2010, the decedent was admitted to the hospital with complaints of double vision, dizziness and unsteady gait. Although a cause was never determined, the double vision and dizziness improved over the next seven […]
Accident victim seeks access to firm’s liability policy
The Supreme Court of Virginia has agreed to consider whether a lawyer is on the job and covered by his law firm’s insurance when he’s driving to work with his cellphone ready for work-related calls. The outcome could determine whether a man injured in a 2009 car crash can tap into the law firm’s $1 […]
Jilted Fiancé Wins Engagement Ring Return
A woman who broke off an engagement is ordered to return the engagement ring, valued at $46,646 to her former fiancé; the Loudoun County Circuit Court says the majority view in Virginia is that requiring return of a conditional gift such as an engagement ring does not violate Virginia’s Heart Balm Act. Virginia Code § […]
College student claims she was assaulted by boss after hours – $40,000 Verdict
Plaintiff testified that she was working as a part-time office assistant to a solo practice tax accountant while she finished her college degree. One night, her boss, the defendant, kept her in the office until late at night and then assaulted her by running his fingers through her hair, putting his hands inside her shirt, […]
Law Firm Auto Policy Can’t Be Tapped
A law firm employee defending a personal injury suit that arose from an auto accident that occurred during his commute from home to work cannot look to the law firm’s insurance policy, even though a jury concluded the employee was using his automobile in the law firm’s business or personal affairs at the time; a […]
Plaintiff sued neighbors for racial harassment – $98,688 Verdict
This case stemmed from a situation that began when a husband and wife cursed out their neighbor, using patently racist language. This behavior evolved into regular verbal harassment, which was often explicitly racial in nature. Additionally, the wife filed two criminal complaints and a protective order against the neighbor, all of which failed in court. […]
Fraud Claim Survives in Modular Home Suit
A plaintiff who alleges shoddy craftsmanship, structural deficiencies and an absence of oversight in the installation of a modular home may pursue her fraud claim against a single defendant, but her other claims are barred by the economic loss rule, says a Loudoun County Circuit Court. Plaintiff alleges that on May 5, 2011, she entered […]
Developer Wins Limited Declaratory Relief
In this dispute over a developer’s alternative plans to provide water and sewer service to a proposed development after the localities changed plans to share that responsibility, a Loudoun County Circuit Court orders limited declaratory relief and holds that a determination of rights regarding whether the tract may be developed with an Alternative Onsite System […]
Verdicts & Settlements
- Plaintiff injured in crash with oncoming vehicle — $235,000 settlement
- Driver killed in rear-end collision with tractor-trailer — $1.5M settlement
- Man died from pancreatic cancer after delayed response — $1.8M settlement
- Worker fell off roof, rendering him a paraplegic — $1.25M settlement
- Driver sustained permanent hearing loss after traffic collision — $240,000 settlement
- Plaintiff suffered concussion in rear-end collision — $81,000 verdict
- Builder misrepresented home status to buyers — $675,000 verdict
- Low potassium led to cardiac arrest, death of patient — $1M settlement
- Excessive propofol caused death in dialysis patient — $850,000 settlement
- Pedestrian struck in crosswalk in hit-and-run incident — $300,000 settlement
- Navy veteran killed in collision with box truck — $1.85M arbitration award
- Motorcyclist ejected from bike in collision with SUV — $1.5M settlement
Opinion Digests
- Company owner dodges breach of contract suit
- Employee’s own allegations doom minimum wage claim
- Federal government defeats former employee’s claims
- Principal wasn’t entitled to exclusively remote work
- USPTO properly redacted info in responsive documents
- Untimely lawsuit allowed to proceed
- Engineering consultant dismissed from suit
- Rule 60 motion was filed too late
- Nonprofit directors immune from ex-employees’ claims
- City, employees immune from whistleblower claims
- Experts excluded in condemnation damages suit
- Judgment entered against company for horse’s death
