USA Archive - Law Commentary

A person using a calculator and writing notes at a desk with a laptop and medical equipment.

Southern Illinois Hospital to Pay $12.5M Settlement in Whistleblower Lawsuit Over Billing Error Allegations

A hospital in Southern Illinois has agreed to settle a whistleblower lawsuit that claimed they were overcharging patients for urgent care services. The settlement agreement was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. In the statement, officials explain that St. Elizabeth’s Hospital of the Hospital... Read More about Southern Illinois Hospital to Pay $12.5M Settlement in Whistleblower Lawsuit Over Billing Error Allegations

Emergency responders at the scene of a school shooting incident, with police and ambulances present.

School District Could Be Liable for Student Shooting of Classmate

A school shooting by one seventh grader against a classmate could expose school districts to liability for negligent supervision of a student who was allowed to bring a loaded firearm to school. A California Court of Appeal reversed a summary judgment ruling in favor of one of the nation’s largest... Read More about School District Could Be Liable for Student Shooting of Classmate

Columns of a courthouse with steps leading up to the entrance, symbolizing the legal system and courtroom proceedings.

Defendant Can’t Be Penalized for Tardy Lawyer

The author Fatima Nacana once wrote, “Tardiness is a disrespectful, selfish and unprofessional act.” But a California Court of Appeal ruled it is not a reason to punish a defendant because his lawyer was late to court. The appellate court found that the trial judge abused her discretion when she... Read More about Defendant Can’t Be Penalized for Tardy Lawyer

Person examining a handgun in a firearm retailer, showcasing various handguns displayed on a wall.

VA Federal Judge Rules It’s Unconstitutional to Ban Firearm Sales to Adults Under 21. Now, 18 to 20-year-olds Are Free to Purchase Handguns.

In a new ruling last week, U.S. Federal District Court Judge Robert Payne in Richmond, Virginia, decided that dealers must be allowed to sell handguns to young adults under 21, including 18 to 20-year-olds. Judge Payne ruled that the current law banning firearms dealers from selling to young adults under... Read More about VA Federal Judge Rules It’s Unconstitutional to Ban Firearm Sales to Adults Under 21. Now, 18 to 20-year-olds Are Free to Purchase Handguns.

Image of a bank interior with customers waiting in line at a counter.

Elderly Hilton Head Resident Files Lawsuit Against Several Financial Institutions After Being Scammed Out of Nearly $500K

Several financial Institutions are facing a lawsuit filed by an elderly 74-year-old Hilton Head retiree, Shirley A. Lucas, after she was scammed out of nearly $500,000. The lawsuit filed in Beaufort County names PayPal, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo as defendants and accuses them of negligence because they failed... Read More about Elderly Hilton Head Resident Files Lawsuit Against Several Financial Institutions After Being Scammed Out of Nearly $500K

Actor Alec Baldwin on the set of the film "Rust," where he was involved in a shooting incident that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction as Criminal Charges Dropped Against Baldwin, Due to New Evidence That Gun Had Been Tampered With Prior to Shooting

The ongoing trial against Alec Baldwin and armorer Hanna Gutierrez-Reed for the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Anatoliivna Hutchins just took a dramatic turn, as the case continues to mimic the saying that truth is stranger than fiction. Actor and film producer Alex Baldwin, with armorer Hanna Gutierrez-Reed, had both... Read More about Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction as Criminal Charges Dropped Against Baldwin, Due to New Evidence That Gun Had Been Tampered With Prior to Shooting

A truck and a flipped vehicle in a field, illustrating the aftermath of a trucking accident.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Signs Law Capping Non-Economic Damages in Truck Driving Lawsuits

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law new legislation that would limit the damages a plaintiff can receive for pain and suffering, ultimately providing more protection for trucking companies and their drivers. Reynolds signed Senate File 228 into law last Friday. The new law will have non-economic damages capped at... Read More about Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Signs Law Capping Non-Economic Damages in Truck Driving Lawsuits

Flight departure board displaying multiple "CANCELLED" notices.

Biden Administration Proposes New Rule to Compensate Passengers for Canceled Flights

As the busy summer vacation season approaches, prospects of air travel are once again worrisome. NBC News predicts “another season of flight disruptions.” AAA projects a 7% increase in travel over last year. CNN says, “This summer travel season could be one for the record books, especially at airports.” A... Read More about Biden Administration Proposes New Rule to Compensate Passengers for Canceled Flights

Portrait of Devin Willock, a University of Georgia football player.

Father of University of Georgia Football Player Killed in Street Racing Accident Files $40M Lawsuit

The father of a University of Georgia football player has filed a lawsuit against the University's Athletic Association along with others after his son died during a street racing car accident near the University in January. University of Georgia football player Devin Willock, 20, was a passenger in an SUV... Read More about Father of University of Georgia Football Player Killed in Street Racing Accident Files $40M Lawsuit

Document titled "ANTI DISCRIMINATION LAW" alongside a gavel and pen on a desk.

Don’t Call Me Shorty and Don’t Call Me Fat! New Weight and Height Anti-Discrimination Laws Passed in NYC

The New York City Council passed a new bill that makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone due to their weight or height in regard to employment, housing, and public accommodations. In the US, six cities, including Madison, Wisconsin; Urbana, Illinois; Binghamton, New York; San Francisco and Santa Cruz, California;... Read More about Don’t Call Me Shorty and Don’t Call Me Fat! New Weight and Height Anti-Discrimination Laws Passed in NYC

Interior view of a car with deployed airbags on the driver's side and passenger's side.

NHTSA Urges Airbag Manufacturer ARC Automotive to Issue a Recall on 67 Million Airbag Inflators

In one of the most significant recall announcements in recent times, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging global auto manufacturer ARC Automotive to issue an immediate recall of 67 million airbags inflators because of what they call a dangerous defect. In a letter issued to Knoxville, Tennessee-based... Read More about NHTSA Urges Airbag Manufacturer ARC Automotive to Issue a Recall on 67 Million Airbag Inflators

A display of various assault weapons on a wall in a gun store.

California Can Ban Assault Weapons Despite Second Amendment

It is a rare day in America when news of another tragic gun shooting does not headline the news. The clash between the Second Amendment and the right of states to pass aggressive gun laws rages on. One recent case, which upheld California’s right to impose mandatory prison sentences on... Read More about California Can Ban Assault Weapons Despite Second Amendment

Several prescription pill bottles on a white surface.

Two New York Pharmacy Owners Charged with $29M Health Care Fraud Scheme

Two New York men have been charged with healthcare fraud after they attempted and were successful in submitting multiple false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid over medically unnecessary prescriptions and other over-the-counter products that were never actually dispensed. Additionally, the men are facing charges of paying illegal kickback... Read More about Two New York Pharmacy Owners Charged with $29M Health Care Fraud Scheme

A man in a suit placing cash into his jacket pocket, symbolizing embezzlement.

Former CEO of Sustainable Fuel Start Up Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Embezzlement Scheme

According to officials, Bryan Sherbacow, 54, of Charleston, South Carolina, and Washington D.C., used the company as his personal piggy bank by fraudulently making transfers from the company’s bank accounts to his personal accounts in amounts totaling at least $5.9 million. Sherbacow used the stolen money to engage in a... Read More about Former CEO of Sustainable Fuel Start Up Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Embezzlement Scheme

Image of a smartphone displaying an incoming call from a "Robocaller" identified as "Unknown" with options to accept or decline the call.

FCC Seeks Record-Breaking $300 Million Fine for Robocall Warranty Scam

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ended 2022 with a bang, proposing that a whopping fine of just under $300 million be levied against the perpetrators of a massive robocall warranty scheme. The proposed fine follows earlier FCC enforcement actions that interrupted the robocall scam, which the agency dubbed “the largest... Read More about FCC Seeks Record-Breaking $300 Million Fine for Robocall Warranty Scam