USA Archive - Law Commentary

Lizzo posing in a black fashion outfit at a public event.

Lizzo Asserts First Amendment Defense in High-Profile Harassment Lawsuit Appeal

Pop star Lizzo has filed an appeal to dismiss a high-profile sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit brought by former backup dancers, claiming the suit infringes upon her constitutional rights to free speech and artistic expression. In a legal brief submitted last month, attorneys representing Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa... Read More about Lizzo Asserts First Amendment Defense in High-Profile Harassment Lawsuit Appeal

A close-up of a firearm setup featuring an assault rifle, a magazine, and ammunition rounds on a surface.

Supreme Court Declines Major Gun Rights Case, Maryland AR-15 Ban Remains

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to review a major Second Amendment challenge to Maryland’s law banning certain semiautomatic rifles, including the AR-15. The Court's brief, unsigned order offered no explanation, leaving the 2013 Maryland statute in effect. This decision underscores the Court’s cautious approach toward Second Amendment disputes,... Read More about Supreme Court Declines Major Gun Rights Case, Maryland AR-15 Ban Remains

Iconic rap group posing in a retro style, featuring distinctive fashion and expressions.

Chili’s Settles Lawsuits with UMG, Beastie Boys Over Unauthorized Music Use

Universal Music Group (UMG) and iconic rap group Beastie Boys have each reached confidential settlements resolving their lawsuits against Chili’s parent company, Brinker International. Both lawsuits accused the restaurant chain of improperly using copyrighted music in social media advertisements without obtaining required synchronization licenses. In separate federal court filings on... Read More about Chili’s Settles Lawsuits with UMG, Beastie Boys Over Unauthorized Music Use

Tentative Boeing Agreement Includes $1.1 Billion in Fines and Safety Measures

Boeing Co. has reached a tentative agreement with the U.S. Justice Department, potentially allowing the aerospace giant to avoid criminal charges stemming from two fatal crashes of its 737 Max aircraft. The crashes, involving Lion Air Flight 610 in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019, resulted... Read More about Tentative Boeing Agreement Includes $1.1 Billion in Fines and Safety Measures

Harvard University sign displayed on a building window, with tree branches reflected in the glass.

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration’s Attempt to Revoke Harvard’s International Student Certification

A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s effort to revoke Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), preserving the university's ability to enroll international students. Harvard University filed a lawsuit last Friday challenging the administration’s decision, arguing it was retaliatory and violated multiple constitutional... Read More about Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration’s Attempt to Revoke Harvard’s International Student Certification

Surgical team performing an operation with medical instruments arranged on a tray.

Minnesota Woman Sues Hospital After Surgeon Mistakenly Removes Healthy Kidney

A Twin Cities woman has filed a lawsuit alleging medical malpractice and battery, claiming her surgeon mistakenly removed a healthy kidney instead of her spleen during routine surgery. Wendy Rappaport, of Plymouth, filed the suit last week, naming the Allina Health hospital system, surgeon Dr. Devon Callahan, and Allina Health... Read More about Minnesota Woman Sues Hospital After Surgeon Mistakenly Removes Healthy Kidney

Sign outside Emory University Hospital, where a complex legal and ethical case regarding a pregnant, brain-dead woman is unfolding.

Georgia Law Faces Scrutiny After Pregnant, Brain-Dead Woman Kept Alive for Fetus

The complex case of Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old nurse from Georgia who was declared brain dead at approximately nine weeks pregnant, has ignited fierce debate over the state's restrictive abortion laws, raising significant legal and ethical questions. Smith has remained on life support for over 90 days, with doctors at... Read More about Georgia Law Faces Scrutiny After Pregnant, Brain-Dead Woman Kept Alive for Fetus

View of Treasure Island Hotel in Las Vegas at dusk.

Two Las Vegas Hotels Face Multiple Bed Bug Lawsuits

Two prominent Las Vegas hotels are facing lawsuits from guests alleging negligence after suffering bed bug bites during their stays. Courtney and Stephen Gully of Illinois, along with Briana McKenzie of Washington State, filed lawsuits against the Luxor Hotel. At the same time, Teresa Bruce of California brought a separate... Read More about Two Las Vegas Hotels Face Multiple Bed Bug Lawsuits

Exterior view of Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe, the San Diego restaurant linked to a salmonella outbreak affecting multiple customers.

San Diego Restaurant Linked to Nearly 100 Salmonella Cases; Lawsuits Filed

As the number of salmonella infections linked to a popular San Diego restaurant continues to rise, multiple lawsuits from affected customers are mounting. Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe, located in San Diego’s Claremont neighborhood, is associated with at least 98 confirmed salmonella cases, resulting in three lawsuits so far. Nine individuals required... Read More about San Diego Restaurant Linked to Nearly 100 Salmonella Cases; Lawsuits Filed

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testifies during a Senate hearing.

Habeas Corpus in Spotlight After Administration Suggests Possible Suspension

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sparked controversy this week by mischaracterizing the fundamental legal right of habeas corpus during a Senate hearing, incorrectly asserting it was a presidential authority to deport immigrants. Habeas corpus, a cornerstone of the U.S. legal system, is a constitutional protection against unlawful detention. It allows... Read More about Habeas Corpus in Spotlight After Administration Suggests Possible Suspension

Sign of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with a blurred figure in the foreground.

Undocumented Florida Mother Faces $1.82 Million Fine for Ignoring Deportation Order

An undocumented immigrant living in Florida faces a staggering $1.82 million fine for failing to leave the United States after receiving a removal order nearly two decades ago, according to documents obtained by CBS News. The fine, detailed in a May 9 notice from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), charges... Read More about Undocumented Florida Mother Faces $1.82 Million Fine for Ignoring Deportation Order

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaking at an event, with an American flag in the background.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo Investigated for Pandemic-Era Statements to Congress

The Justice Department has initiated an investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo regarding accusations that he gave misleading testimony to Congress about his involvement in reporting COVID-19 nursing home deaths. The inquiry, initially reported by The New York Times, emerged as Cuomo actively campaigned to become mayor of... Read More about Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo Investigated for Pandemic-Era Statements to Congress

A man with short hair and a beard, wearing a blue shirt, speaks in an interview setting.

Boeing Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit with Whistleblower’s Family

The family of a former Boeing employee has reached a settlement in their wrongful death lawsuit against the aerospace giant. The lawsuit involved John Barnett, 62, who worked as a quality control manager at Boeing for over three decades. Barnett raised alarms about unsafe production practices at the company’s manufacturing... Read More about Boeing Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit with Whistleblower’s Family

An Afghan man in military attire, appearing serious and contemplative.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Says National Geographic Documentary Led to Afghan Man's Death

An Afghan widow alleges in a new lawsuit that National Geographic and others played a critical role in her late husband’s torture and eventual death at the hands of the Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on April 24. In it,... Read More about Wrongful Death Lawsuit Says National Geographic Documentary Led to Afghan Man's Death

Image of Malia Obama and Natalie Jasmine Harris at various events.

Malia Obama Faces Accusations of Copying Indie Filmmaker in Nike Ad

Malia Obama is facing accusations from independent filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris, who alleges that Obama's recent Nike advertisement featuring WNBA star A’ja Wilson borrowed heavily from Harris’s own creative work without acknowledgment. Harris detailed her claims in a Business Insider essay published on May 16, highlighting similarities between the Nike... Read More about Malia Obama Faces Accusations of Copying Indie Filmmaker in Nike Ad