J. Chehardy finds that the trial court should not have enforced the husband's motion to enforce the settlement agreement related to the parties' partition of community property. In this case, there is no settlement document outlining the obligations of the parties or their acquiescence to its terms, and the exchange of text messages and emails between counsel did not create an enforceable settlement agreement between the parties. Further, the wife should not have been sanctioned for refusing to sign the settlement agreement. Reversed.
Court: Louisiana Court Of Appeal, Judge: Chehardy, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 23-CA-471, Categories: Property, Settlements, Contract
J. Chehardy finds that the trial court properly awarded $614,000 in damages for an accident where a patron fell off of a store's toilet and injured her back. In this case, there was evidence to support the jury's determination that the accident at the store resulted in the patron's two fusion surgeries. Further, the jury’s award for special damages directly reflects the totality of medical expenses that the patron incurred. Affirmed.
Court: Louisiana Court Of Appeal, Judge: Chehardy, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 23-CA-487, Categories: Damages, Premises Liability
J. Baker finds that the county court properly ruled against a homeowner in a debt case filed by a repairman who was not paid after working on the homeowner's septic system. The homeowner refused to pay for the services, alleging that the repairman did not complete the work and caused more damage to her septic system. The repairman's testimony that he completed the repairs is more credible than the homeowner's counter assertions. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Baker, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 03-22-00492-CV, Categories: Tort, Contract
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J. Davis finds the district court improperly dismissed the disabled, black employee's discrimination and retaliation claims. The employee was hired to work within the county's drug trafficking division. His request to work remotely in 2020, to avoid contracting COVID after throat surgery, being in remission from cancer, was denied by his supervisor. The employee was placed on administrative leave after complaining of this and an internal data breach involving his family, and was allegedly told to remove religious garments during a later discussion with his supervisor. The district court incorrectly determined that the employee failed to produce evidence that he informed the county of his disabilities or that he requested accommodation. Furthermore, the district court failed to treat the drug trafficking division as the same entity as the county. Vacated.
Court: 5th Circuit, Judge: Davis , Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 23-10872, Categories: Government, Employment Discrimination, Employment Retaliation
J. Savoie finds that the trial court improperly denied the hospital's dilatory exception of prematurity filing, which argues that the patient's lawsuit falls under the Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act (LMMA), and thus a medical review panel must review it first. The trial court relied on inapplicable precedent when making its ruling, the patient's allegations require expert medical testimony about the hospital's standard of care, and the hospital performing the assessment of the patient as one at high risk of fall is within the scope of its licensed activities, which all fall under the LMMA. Reversed.
Court: Louisiana Court Of Appeal, Judge: Savoie, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: CA-23-434, Categories: Experts, Medical Malpractice
J. Bradberry finds that the trial court improperly denied the contractor's motion for a preliminary injunction against the construction company in their dispute about the arbitration clause in their contract. There are several indicators that the contract and the construction company did not fully finalize the disputed subcontract, and the trial court wrongfully held that the contractor's estimator had the authority to bind the contractor to the subcontract. Reversed.
Court: Louisiana Court Of Appeal, Judge: Bradberry, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: CA-23-557, Categories: Arbitration, Contract, Injunction
J. Ortego finds that defendant was properly convicted for carjacking and adjudicated as a fourth habitual offender, resulting in a life sentence of hard labor without parole. There was plenty of evidence that defendant attacked the carjacking victim unprovoked, thus there was "violence" and all of the elements of the crime were established beyond a reasonable doubt. Affirmed.
Court: Louisiana Court Of Appeal, Judge: Ortego, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: KA-23-736, Categories: Robbery, Vehicle, Jury Instructions
J. Jolly finds the district court improperly dismissed the former prisoner's assault claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act after prison officials allegedly physically restrained and beat him. The district court held his injuries were minor and not legally cognizable. The applicable tort law does not bar claims based on minor injuries. Reversed.
Court: 5th Circuit, Judge: Jolly , Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 22-30294, Categories: Tort, Police Misconduct, Prisoners' Rights
J. Gladwin finds the circuit court improperly denied the assignee of the vehicle purchase contract's motion to compel arbitration. The purchaser defaulted on payment and the assignee repossessed the vehicle. The purchaser sought class certification for deceptive trade practices claims arising from the assignee's requiring her to pay repossession report fees to law enforcement agencies. The arbitration agreement is valid and enforceable under the Automotive Dealer's Anti-Coercion Act, satisfying the mutuality-of-obligations element of a binding contract. The assignee did not waive its right to demand arbitration in the purported class action by filing a separate action for a deficiency judgment. Reversed.
Court: Arkansas Court Of Appeals, Judge: Gladwin , Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: CV-22-756, Categories: Arbitration, Debt Collection, Contract
J. Murphy finds the circuit court properly upheld the denial of the firefighter's claim for duty disability retirement based on substantial evidence. The firefighter sought treatment and therapy for PTSD, and was placed on medical leave before pursuing retirement benefits. A doctor reported the available information did not support total and permanent disability. The firefighter provides no convincing support for his claim the board of trustees disregarded facts. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Court Of Appeals, Judge: Murphy , Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: CV-22-650, Categories: Employment, Health Care, Workers' Compensation
J. Gladwin dismisses the farm’s appeal of the circuit court’s denial of its petition to discharge the excavator’s lien. The excavator filed the lien for $671,000 for nonpayment after the farm sold its property during a construction project it contracted for with the excavator. The excavator gave proper notice and the court correctly denied discharge of the lien, retaining jurisdiction. The farm filed a notice of interlocutory appeal and a motion to reconsider on the same day. The circuit court did not issue a ruling on the motion to reconsider. The appeals court has no jurisdiction for lack of a final order.
Court: Arkansas Court Of Appeals, Judge: Gladwin , Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: CV-22-608, Categories: Construction, Jurisdiction, Contract
J. Harrison finds the circuit court properly entered the divorce decree and custody and support order, finding the ex-wife to be in contempt. The court correctly denied the mother's request to relocate, finding it in the child's best interest to remain where his support system is located. There is ample evidence the mother's failure to control her emotions caused the child's anxiety during visitation exchanges. At one exchange, the mother was crying so loudly she could not hear the visitation supervisor speaking. The child's counselor also testified that certain of the mother's actions could be considered intentional sabotage and that it is damaging for the child to be purposefully kept from his father. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Court Of Appeals, Judge: Harrison , Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: CV-23-240, Categories: Evidence, Family Law, Guardianship
J. Mooney finds the trial court erred by failing to dismiss two counts against defendant. “The state violated defendant’s constitutional right to counsel when the lead detective intentionally listened to several recorded phone conversations between defendant and his attorney, which included privileged communications between them about trial strategy.” Reversed.
Court: Oregon Court of Appeals, Judge: Mooney, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: A177025, Categories: Constitution
J. Jacquot finds the trial court erred by denying his motion to dismiss his theft charge pursuant to a civil compromise. The “letter acknowledged more than that defendant had paid the penalties that he owed…and, therefore, is not precluded from being offered as evidence of a civil compromise.” Reversed.
Court: Oregon Court of Appeals, Judge: Jacquot, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: A178836, Categories: Theft
J. Pagan finds the trial court erred by giving a jury instruction on defense of premises regarding the alleged victim’s actions when defendant was claiming self-defense against someone who used force against him. “The parties disputed the facts that would have made defendant’s self-defense claim viable, and a jury instruction that highlighted the alleged victim’s state of mind” detracted from the jury’s consideration of defendant’s state of mind. Reversed.
Court: Oregon Court of Appeals, Judge: Pagan, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: A177313, Categories: Burglary, Assault, Jury Instructions
J. Edison finds, upon remand, that one group of investors in a divided class can move forward with class certification in a case regarding a failure to disclose information prior to a merger. The court initially ruled that applicants for a class action must be separated because the class included stockholders of both companies involved in the merger creating a conflict. On remand, one group of investors holding stock in one of the companies involved in the merger can certify as a class at this juncture with the recommendation that investors holding stock in the other company be permitted to apply for class certification separately.
Court: USDC Southern District of Texas, Judge: Edison, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 4:18cv4330, NOS: Securities/Commodities/Exchange - Other Suits, Categories: Securities, Class Action
J. Horan finds that the testimony of an expert witness for the defendant energy services company, who testified as to whether suing energy company took reasonable steps to protect its trade secrets, shall not be removed from the record. The witness’s testimony does not invade the territory of the trier of fact, but rather provides information as to the steps that the sued company could have or did take to protect its trade secrets. Plaintiff’s motion to strike the expert witness’s testimony is denied.
Court: USDC Northern District of Texas , Judge: Horan, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 3:22cv1981, NOS: Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (DTSA) - Property Rights, Categories: Trade Secrets, Experts
J. O’Connor finds that an attorney who claims that she was not promoted because she is female did not show that her employer’s reason for not promoting her is pretextual. The attorney’s claims that the qualifications of person hired for the position were exaggerated do not meet the requirement for pretext to a discriminatory decision that any reasonable employer would find the protected class member’s qualifications are superior. However, the attorney’s claims for failure to promote based on her age can proceed. The employer’s motion to dismiss claims of discrimination based on sex are granted but the motion to dismiss based on age is denied.
Court: USDC Northern District of Texas , Judge: O’Connor, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 4:23cv566, NOS: Employment - Civil Rights, Categories: Civil Rights, Employment Discrimination
J. Lange denies a Department of the Interior motion to dismiss an amended complaint involving self-determination contracts under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 under which the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe received federal funds to operate tribal schools that otherwise would have been operated by the federal government. The government collected a deficit of funds that the school would have otherwise received after the Tribe used some of the money to fund tribal government operations other than schools. The Tribe also claimed that the government collected more than the total unearned-revenue balance. The alleged overcollection claim in the amended complaint remains but all the claims from the original complaint remain foreclosed.
Court: USDC South Dakota, Judge: Lange, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 3:21cv3018, NOS: Administrative Procedure Act/Review or Appeal of Agency Decision - Other Suits, Categories: Administrative Law, Education, Native Americans
J. Gibbons finds the district court improperly denied the "gig" worker's petition for review of his liability for overpayment of pandemic assistance benefits. The appeals referee made no findings demonstrating that he considered the nuances of the gig economy or whether a diminution of usual services occurred due to the pandemic. The referee improperly relied on the worker's testimony that he had no job offers retracted due to the pandemic to conclude that he was an unreliable witness. Reversed.
Court: Nevada Court of Appeals, Judge: Gibbons , Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 85942-COA, Categories: Employment, Evidence, Covid-19
J. Toth finds the Board of Veterans Appeals properly issued its decision. The Army Vietnam veteran asked the board to delay issuing a decision regarding his disagreement with the effective date of compensation for cardiovascular disease. He sought delay until after his representative received a copy of his claims file, in order to submit evidence. The veteran then filed a formal appeal for direct review, which allows for a more immediate decision, and the board issued its opinion before evidence was submitted. Because other procedural options exist, the fair process doctrine does not entitle the veteran to a delay in the context of his request for expedited review. Affirmed.
Court: Court Of Appeals For Veterans Claims, Judge: Toth, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 22-3957, Categories: Health Care, Veterans, Due Process
J. Molaison finds that defendant was properly convicted of armed robbery and the misdemeanor battery of a police officer. The record shows that defendant was properly advised of the ramifications of his guilty pleas, and there are no non-frivolous issues regarding defendant's convictions. Further, on his Boykin form and during sentencing, defendant acknowledged that his sentence for armed robbery “is without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.” Affirmed in part.
Court: Louisiana Court Of Appeal, Judge: Molaison , Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 23-KA-401, Categories: Robbery, Battery, Plea
J. Chehardy finds that defendant was properly convicted of possession of a firearm while in possession of marijuana. In this case, defendant acknowledged ownership of the car, the gun found underneath the driver’s seat, and the marijuana. The state was not required to establish a nexus between defendant’s simultaneous possession of the gun and drugs. Also, both the gun and drugs were within defendant’s reach and were in defendant’s control at the time of the stop. Affirmed.
Court: Louisiana Court Of Appeal, Judge: Chehardy, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 23-KA-446, Categories: Drug Offender, Firearms
J. Marcel vacates the trial court's granting of costs to the plaintiff driver in a car collision action. In this case, the defendant driver made an offer of $75,000 that the plaintiff driver did not accept, and the plaintiff driver obtained a final judgment of $12,500, which is at least twenty-five percent less than the amount offered. Statute compensates the rejected offeror who is forced to incur greater trial litigation costs that could have been avoided if the offeree had not acted unreasonably in rejecting the offer. However, the amount of those costs remains within the broad discretion of the trial
court. Vacated.
Court: Louisiana Court Of Appeal, Judge: Marcel, Filed On: April 24, 2024, Case #: 23-CA-488, Categories: Attorney Fees, Contract