Branch

Long Beach Man Awarded $5.19 Million After Tree Branch Incident: A Warning on Urban Tree Maintenance

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LONG BEACH, Calif. — A jury recently awarded $5.19 million to a man who sustained serious injuries when a tree branch fell on him in El Dorado Park, highlighting concerns over city tree maintenance. Joseph Robinson, 68, was walking his dog, Cookie, when a 200-pound branch knocked him unconscious. Cookie escaped unharmed and ran for help, while bystanders worked to free Robinson, who was subsequently rushed to the hospital. Robinson’s attorney, Brian Breiter, described the injuries his client suffered as life-altering. Robinson experienced spinal damage requiring surgical intervention to fuse two parts of his spine, … Read more

$1.5 Million Award Slashed in Tree Branch Injury Case Due to Public Entity Liability Cap

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St. Louis, MO — A local jury recently awarded Phillip Lacey over $1.5 million after he was injured by a falling tree branch while sitting at a bus stop in Lindenwood Park. However, this figure was later adjusted to just over half a million dollars due to Missouri’s legal caps on damages against public entities. The incident, which occurred in June 2022, resulted in severe injuries for Lacey, including a fractured skull and neck, as well as fractured orbital bones and ankle. These injuries stemmed from a large branch breaking off a pin oak tree … Read more

Federal Judge Rules Executive Branch Authority Limited in Suspending Refugee Admissions

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A federal judge recently ruled that the executive branch’s power to suspend refugee admissions is not without its limits. This decision underlines a significant scrutiny regarding the reach of presidential authority in matters of immigration and refugee policy. The case in question revolved around Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and was critically analyzed under its mechanisms meant to curb unchecked executive powers. The judge’s decision highlighted an essential balance between national security concerns and adherence to established legal frameworks. Although the President of the United States holds substantial sway over immigration policies, including the suspension of … Read more

Olive Branch to Celebrate Trailblazing Judge Bernice Bouie Donald with Special Honor at Upcoming Aldermen Meeting

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Olive Branch, MS – In a significant acknowledgment of a local luminary, the City of Olive Branch will unveil a tribute to Judge Bernice Bouie Donald, an esteemed native and groundbreaking jurist, during the upcoming Board of Aldermen meeting on February 4. The celebration aims to commemorate her pioneering contributions both locally and nationally. Mayor Ken Adams, who discussed this acknowledgment in his recent newsletter, credited Judge Donald as a trailblazer who has left an indelible mark on the community. Her roots in Olive Branch run deep, having been one of the first African Americans … Read more