News

News

Federal Judge Allows Punitive Damages in Lawsuit Against Trumbull County Commissioners and Sheriff’s Office

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Warren, Ohio – Trumbull County commissioners and members of the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office may face individual liability for punitive damages in a lawsuit brought by Commissioner Niki Frenchko, according to U.S. District Judge Philip Calabrese’s recent order. The judge’s ruling stated that if the case goes to trial, a jury could find that Sheriff Paul Monroe, county Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa, former Commissioner Frank Fuda, and two sheriff’s office sergeants conspired to have Frenchko arrested during a commissioners meeting in July 2022. The lawsuit, filed on Frenchko’s behalf by attorneys David Betras and Matt Miller-Novak, … Read more

Louisiana Shrimp Association Files Lawsuit to Challenge Gulf Coast Shrimping Regulations

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Mobile, Alabama – A lawsuit filed by the Louisiana Shrimp Association on Wednesday may have wide-ranging implications for shrimping practices along the Gulf Coast. The suit targets the National Marine Fisheries Service of the Biden Administration over a new rule that requires skimmer trawl vessels to use Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in inshore waters. James Baehr, Chief Litigator for the Pelican Institute, explains that the current rule only applies to shrimp boats that are 40 feet or longer, but the Louisiana Shrimp Association is concerned that smaller boats may also be required to use TEDs … Read more

Mistrial Declared in 50-Year-Old Cold Case of Special Sheriff’s Deputy’s Murder: Jury Deadlocked

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ROCKVILLE, Maryland – A mistrial was declared on Wednesday evening in the case of a 1971 killing of a special sheriff’s deputy, as the jury remained deadlocked after more than two days of deliberation. The trial involved the alleged murder of Montgomery County Deputy James Tappen Hall. According to an anonymous juror, several individuals on the jury did not believe that the state had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. One or two jurors were reportedly convinced that they could never convict 71-year-old Larry David Smith in the death of Deputy Hall. Hall’s daughter, … Read more

Unraveling the Complexities of Mass Tort Settlements: Inside the World of Liability Forecasting

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(Pittsburgh, PA) – Liability forecasting plays a critical role in the management of mass tort settlement trusts, which often involve billions of dollars and numerous claimants seeking compensation for their injuries. Administering these trusts is a complex task, with various factors and challenges to consider. One of the main challenges is the timeline of mass tort litigation. Exposures, injuries, and the discovery of injuries can span over multiple decades, during which companies may come and go, declare bankruptcy, or be bought and sold. Additionally, people may be exposed to new elements or conditions in their … Read more