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Evidence incorrectly suppressed in child pornography case
The trial court erred by concluding that although the police lawfully acquired appellant’s portable hard drive, known to contain child pornography images, keeping the hard drive became an unreasonable seizure because the police waited more than a month before getting a warrant regarding the hard drive’s content. Facts After a police investigation revealed that appellant […]
Judges across state differ on ‘reptile’ tactics
Virginia courts may not have felt the reptile’s strike, but judges are taking different approaches with the prospect of plaintiff’s lawyers armed with psychological jury appeals. At issue is the “reptile” litigation tactic: an appeal to jurors’ subconscious fears that trigger a basic response for survival. While judges appear reluctant to impose discovery restrictions based […]
Order to limit discovery denied
A motion for a protective order to limit defendant doctor’s discovery deposition in this medical malpractice case is denied. Plaintiff claims that defendant’s alleged negligent treatment following a stroke left her with a permanent visual impairment. Plaintiff seeks to depose defendant. Defendant has moved for a protective order to limit discovery relating to the applicable […]
Nerve severed during wisdom teeth extraction – $625,000 Verdict
Dr. Burgoyne, an oral surgeon, extracted the four developing wisdom teeth of a 12-year-old girl in August 2014. In the process of doing so, Dr. Burgoyne completely severed the child’s lingual nerve on one side (there are two nerves which provide sensory function, including taste to each side of the inside of the mouth) and […]
Verdicts & Settlements
- Driver struck twice in rear-end collision at red light — $350,000 settlement
- Drunken driver strikes vehicle on interstate — $200,000 settlement
- Trip and fall on mat leads to knee replacement surgery — $1.5M verdict
- Woman suffers permanent injury in broadside crash — $2.325M settlement
- Teacher injured in accident during morning commute — $1.5M settlement
- Woodshop incident leads to amputation of fingers — $1.3M settlement
- Motorcyclist’s foot amputated in collision — $7M settlement
- Contractor rear-ended on interstate on way to wedding — $825,000 settlement
- Man suffers back injury in crash with out-of-state driver — $530,000 settlement
- Driver crossed center line, struck 89-year-old’s vehicle — $1.2M settlement
- Jury returns defense verdict in favor of gastroenterologist
- Teens killed in T-bone collision with officer — $3.1M settlement
Opinion Digests
- Court silent on if ALJs were constitutionally appointed
- Homeowner’s lawsuit barred by res judicata
- Uncertainty over service prevents default judgment
- No stay of case pending resolution of motion
- Man’s unlawful search, seizure claims dismissed
- Amazon shows patent claim is ineligible abstract idea
- Geographical separation dooms trademark claim
- ‘Narcotics trafficker’ defense rejected
- Litigant’s suit against courts, judges dismissed
- Body cam footage properly admitted
- Motion to withdraw pleas properly denied
- Evidence supports murder, conspiracy conviction
