News

News

Jury Awards $205 Million to Family After Tragic Theme Park Accident

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Glenwood Springs, Colorado — A jury awarded $205 million to the family of Wongel Estifanos, a six-year-old girl who tragically lost her life during a theme park ride in September 2021. Estifanos died on the Haunted Mine Drop at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, where investigations revealed she was not properly secured in her seat when the ride was operated. The Haunted Mine Drop, a 110-foot vertical drop attraction located underground in a mine shaft, was closed after the incident and rebranded as Crystal Tower in 2023. Following the accident, the state of Colorado imposed a … Read more

Imminent PFAS Reporting Deadline Sparks Fears of Legal Storm for Food and Beverage Sector

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Washington, D.C. — A new deadline mandating the reporting of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is expected to significantly impact the food and beverage sector. As companies prepare for these regulations, industry experts anticipate a substantial increase in litigation related to the presence of these chemicals. PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” have garnered increased scrutiny due to their environmental persistence and potential health risks. The upcoming reporting deadline, set for later this year, requires food and beverage manufacturers to disclose their use of these substances, prompting many to assess their supply chains more … Read more

Legal Battle Brews in West Virginia Over Religious Exemptions to School Vaccination Rules

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A judge in Berkeley County is grappling with the intersection of religious freedoms and public health, following a hearing regarding school vaccination mandates. Judge Michael Lorensen indicated his hesitance to assert that West Virginia’s religious freedoms law has a direct bearing on compulsory vaccinations for schoolchildren. After a lengthy three-hour session, Lorensen opted against issuing a preliminary injunction that would require local school officials to accommodate requests for religious exemptions from nine families. While he scheduled a more comprehensive hearing for Nov. 12, he cautioned the families that their prospects did not … Read more

Trump Elevates Ally Lindsey Halligan as US Attorney Amid Letitia James Investigation Tensions

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Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump has nominated Lindsey Halligan to be the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, placing her in a pivotal role amid politically sensitive federal investigations. The nomination comes on the heels of instability at the department, marked by the resignation of her predecessor, Erik Siebert, who stepped down amid scrutiny from the Trump administration regarding the potential prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James. The announcement of Halligan’s appointment was made via Trump’s social media shortly after he left the White House for an engagement at Mount … Read more