USA Archive - Law Commentary

A group of Greenpeace supporters standing outside the Morton County Memorial Courthouse, holding a banner that reads "ENERGY TRANSFER: WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED."

Greenpeace Is Gutted by Verdict Assessing $666.9 Million in Damages Over Pipeline Protests From 15 Years Ago

Fifteen years after oil pipeline company Energy Transfer and subsidiary Dakota Access filed a lawsuit regarding protests by Native Americans and Greenpeace, a jury found the Netherlands-based Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA, and their funding arm Greenpeace Fund Inc., liable for defamation and more. The now teetering organization was found legally... Read More about Greenpeace Is Gutted by Verdict Assessing $666.9 Million in Damages Over Pipeline Protests From 15 Years Ago

A hallway inside a youth correctional facility featuring multiple cell doors.

Oregon Youth Authority Physician, Nicknamed “Dr. Cold Fingers,” Accused of Sexual Abuse In New Lawsuit

The Oregon Youth Authority, which operates under the auspices of the state of Oregon, is facing a $51 million lawsuit claiming that boys who were in custody at a youth correctional facility in Woodburn were sexually assaulted. The lawsuit, filed by at least 10 individuals, alleges they suffered at the... Read More about Oregon Youth Authority Physician, Nicknamed “Dr. Cold Fingers,” Accused of Sexual Abuse In New Lawsuit

A legislative hearing in Minnesota with three people seated at a table, discussing various issues.

Minnesota Legislator Accused of Soliciting Minor for Sex in Sting Operation

Former Minnesota state Republican lawmaker Justin Eichorn was charged with a felony in federal court earlier this week for allegedly trying to buy sex from an underage girl. After being charged with the crime, he resigned from his seat in the Minnesota state legislature. Eichorn is charged with “attempted coercion... Read More about Minnesota Legislator Accused of Soliciting Minor for Sex in Sting Operation

Starbucks Calls $50 Million Spilled Hot Coffee Verdict “Excessive” and Announces Plan to Appeal

A California delivery driver has been awarded $50 million in damages by a jury who says Starbucks is to blame for a hot drink that spilled on the driver’s lap, causing him severe pain and disfigurement, when he came through the drive-thru window in 2020. Michael Garcia filed his... Read More about Starbucks Calls $50 Million Spilled Hot Coffee Verdict “Excessive” and Announces Plan to Appeal

A scene from "The Matrix Resurrections" featuring two main characters standing in front of a burning vehicle.

Hit Film Production Company Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy After Long Court Fight With Warner Bros

After a costly three-year legal battle with Warner Bros., the company that produced enormously successful films such as “The Matrix” and “Joker” filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 17th. Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, founded in 1989, filed for bankruptcy in Delaware, saying that a lengthy legal battle with Warner... Read More about Hit Film Production Company Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy After Long Court Fight With Warner Bros

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a podium outside a government building, addressing issues related to abortion laws in Texas.

Texas Midwife is First Healthcare Provider to Be Criminally Charged for Violating State’s Near-Total Abortion Ban

A midwife and her associate were arrested in Texas last week and charged with the illegal performance of an abortion, a second-degree felony, and practicing medicine without a license, which is a third-degree felony. Midwife Maria Margarita Rojas, 49, and Jose Ley, 29, were also accused of employing staff “who... Read More about Texas Midwife is First Healthcare Provider to Be Criminally Charged for Violating State’s Near-Total Abortion Ban

A person wearing a blue jacket with "FBI" printed in yellow on the back, standing on a street near a vehicle.

Federal Judge Awards Almost $2 Million in Civil Lawsuit After Finding FBI Agent Negligent in Kidnap Victim’s Shooting Death

A federal judge in Houston, Texas, as part of his judgment stemming from a 2018 case, awarded about $2 million in damages resulting from an FBI agent’s actions. The FBI agent shot and killed a kidnapped Texas man in a suburban home during a failed rescue mission. The family of... Read More about Federal Judge Awards Almost $2 Million in Civil Lawsuit After Finding FBI Agent Negligent in Kidnap Victim’s Shooting Death

A healthcare professional holding a medical syringe in a clinical setting, related to fertility treatments.

Iowa Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Dr. Accused of Secretly Using His Sperm to Inseminate Patients

The Iowa Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit that accused a former University of Iowa doctor of secretly using his own sperm to artificially inseminate a patient without her consent. Over the course of the doctor's time in practice, he is accused of using his sperm through artificial insemination to... Read More about Iowa Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Dr. Accused of Secretly Using His Sperm to Inseminate Patients

A crowd of protesters holding signs raises their arms in front of the U.S. Department of Education building.

States Sue Trump Administration Over Department of Education Gutting While Millions of Students Face Chaotic Cuts and Loan Confusion

A coalition of twenty Democrat-led states filed a lawsuit yesterday to block the Trump administration’s severe cuts to the Department of Education. The suit followed the day after the Trump administration announced more than 1,300 employee layoffs in the Department. Trump also announced he is dismantling the Department of Education,... Read More about States Sue Trump Administration Over Department of Education Gutting While Millions of Students Face Chaotic Cuts and Loan Confusion

A dimly lit hallway in a mental health facility with room numbers visible on the doors.

SC Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Resident at a Mental Health Facility Allegedly Killed and Ate Two Residents

A new lawsuit aimed at a South Carolina mental health assisted living facility accuses the establishment of gross negligence and wrongful death among other claims after they say their loved one was allegedly murdered and eaten by another resident in the facility. The victim was one of two who were... Read More about SC Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Resident at a Mental Health Facility Allegedly Killed and Ate Two Residents

Blue Cross Blue Shield Faces New Lawsuits From Healthcare Providers Even After Agreeing to $2.8 Billion Settlement

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) agreed to pay $2.8 billion to settle a class action antitrust lawsuit brought by hospitals and healthcare providers who allege they were underpaid by BCBS. The $2.8 billion settlement includes both cash payments and new improvements to the BlueCard program overall. While agreeing to the... Read More about Blue Cross Blue Shield Faces New Lawsuits From Healthcare Providers Even After Agreeing to $2.8 Billion Settlement

Image of a smartphone screen displaying options for the Zelle payment service, including features like sending money, transferring funds, and paying bills.

Bank Industry Watchdog Drops Lawsuit as Trump Relaxes Enforcement of Federal Financial and Consumer Protection Laws

The new less restrictive stance on federal enforcement of financial laws since President Donald Trump took office on January 20 is already resulting in dramatic changes, as federal agencies have pulled back from pursuing legal actions that were already underway in the banking and finance sectors. Notably, the Consumer Financial... Read More about Bank Industry Watchdog Drops Lawsuit as Trump Relaxes Enforcement of Federal Financial and Consumer Protection Laws

A crowd at a rally supporting the "Touch Grass" bill, advocating for natural grass in NYC parks, with signs addressing concerns about synthetic turf.

Turf War in New York City Parks: NYC Councilman Promotes “Touch Grass” Bill to Rid Parks of Synthetic Turf, as Studies Find Microplastics in Human Brains

The city that never sleeps has a new bill promoting the return of natural grass in municipal parks. New York City Councilman Christopher Marte submitted the “Touch Grass” bill recently at a New York City town hall meeting. Councilmember Marte, surrounded by fellow councilmembers, advocacy organizations and a coalition of... Read More about Turf War in New York City Parks: NYC Councilman Promotes “Touch Grass” Bill to Rid Parks of Synthetic Turf, as Studies Find Microplastics in Human Brains

Former President Trump holding up an executive order during a press event.

Keeping Track: Lawsuits Against President Trump and His New Administration Continue to Multiply

We’re only halfway through the first 100 days with our new President and his administration, and the number of lawsuits filed against them is historic. The flurry of new executive orders and cabinet-level decisions have led to over 40 suits, and it’s only early March. By the hour and by... Read More about Keeping Track: Lawsuits Against President Trump and His New Administration Continue to Multiply

A person assembling a firearm with ammunition displayed on a table in a gun store or workshop.

Supreme Court Faces Pivotal Decision on Mexico’s Lawsuit Against U.S. Gun Makers

In 2021, the country of Mexico filed suit against a collection of United States gun manufacturers, and the case is now before the Supreme Court, where the Justices will decide if the case will move forward to a trial. The lawsuit claims that the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in... Read More about Supreme Court Faces Pivotal Decision on Mexico’s Lawsuit Against U.S. Gun Makers