court ruling News

Jury Clears New Jersey Pub in Patron’s Death

Jurors found a New Jersey pub was not negligent in the death of a patron who was struck and killed while walking on the Garden State Parkway. The jury decided not to award money to the parents of Robert Barbiero …

UK Court Rules Catholic Church Liable for Priest Wrongs

A British court has ruled that Roman Catholic priests are equivalent to employees, a decision that could pave the way for victims of sexual abuse to win damages from the church. Tuesday’s ruling involved a 47-year-old woman who says she …

Maryland’s Highest Court Rules on Lead Paint Lawsuits

Maryland’s highest court has ruled that a law giving owners of certain rental properties immunity from personal injury lawsuits based on a child’s ingestion of lead-based paint is invalid. The Court of Appeals issued the 7-0 ruling on Monday, Oct. …

New York Court Finds Driver Blinded by Sun Glare May Be Liable in Accident

New York’s highest court has ruled that a motorist from Syracuse who struck and killed a pedestrian while being distracted by sun glare cannot invoke “emergency doctrine.” An attentive driver would have anticipated occasional sun glares considering the time of …

Mass. High Court Upholds Charging Fees for Traffic Ticket Appeals

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that charging filing fees to residents appealing traffic tickets does not violate equal protection. The Sept. 21 decision affirms the lower court’s ruling. The court said it is upholding filing fees for appealing traffic …

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Household Exclusion in Auto Policies

Florida’s highest court has upheld the so-called “household exclusion” clause in automobile policies that states the injuries suffered by family members residing with an insured driver are not covered under the policy. The Florida Supreme Court in the case of …

California Regulator Wins Case Involving Sale of Life Insurer

A California state appeals court has upheld a state regulators’ refusal to approve the sale of a California insurance company to a French-owned company. The decision upheld Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones’ actions on behalf of the policyholders of failed insurer …