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Another circuit judge rejects ‘Spear’ rationale
Denounced by plaintiffs’ lawyers, the groundbreaking decision in Spear v. Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority has found few friends in the Virginia judiciary. The latest judge to reject the “once-and-for-all ad damnum” rule of Spear is Franklin County Circuit Judge William Alexander. Roanoke lawyer Pete Katt reports Alexander last week rejected a defense motion to dismiss […]
Alexander grilled by House courts panel
Franklin County Circuit Judge William N. Alexander II was on his feet for about two hours yesterday listening to comments and answering questions from the judicial panel of the House Courts of Justice Committee. Alexander had lots of support. Among those praising his integrity and judicial ability were the people who usually matter the most […]
Alexander is not on list as Assembly votes on judges
(Updated 1/29/10 – 10:20 a.m.) The General Assembly elected most of the incumbent judges up for reappointment last Tuesday but took no action on Franklin County Judge William N. Alexander II. Del. Bill Janis, R-Henrico, chairman of the judicial systems subcommittee of the House Courts of Justice, said Alexander’s name was pulled from consideration because […]
Negligence – Sovereign Immunity – Gross Negligence – VT Shooting
The administrators of the estates of two Virginia Tech students killed in the mass shooting in April 2007 have stated claims for gross negligence against the commonwealth and against President Charles Steger and former vice president James Hyatt, the only two members of the VT Emergency Policy Group with authority to issue an alert or […]
Top VT officials remain in shootings lawsuit
A ruling by a Montgomery County Circuit Court has set the stage for discovery and trial in the two lawsuits filed in the wake of the deadly 2007 shootings on the Virginia Tech campus. Virginia Tech president Charles Steger and former Executive Vice President James Hyatt remain as defendants in the lawsuits filed by families […]
Verdicts & Settlements
- 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
- Man sustained subdural hematoma in rear-end collision —$1.15M settlement
- Adequate anesthesia not provided during C-section — $2.5M verdict
- Tenant fell ill from mold in apartment — $588,000 verdict
- Woman suffers nerve injury, pain after dental procedure — $550,000 settlement
- Driver struck child exiting school bus — $750,000 settlement
Opinion Digests
- Suit over historic mansion and estate dismissed
- Former employee’s claims survive motion to dismiss
- Equal Pay Act doesn’t apply to applicant
- Court rejects invocation of attorney-client privilege
- Evidence supported competency determination
- Appellees had power to remove business manager
- No continuance after witnesses failed to appear
- No actual or constructive eviction in warranty case
- Gas distribution pipeline exempt from ZBA regulation
- Improper venue in air pollution regulation matter
- No benefits awarded in unemployment comp case
- No immunity for judge who personally oversaw search
