Damages

Jury Sides with Former Employee over Religious Exemption to Vaccine Mandate, Awards Over $600,000 in Damages

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Chattanooga, Tennessee — A Chattanooga-based health insurance company, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, has been ordered to pay $687,000 to a former employee who was dismissed for not complying with the company’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement. A federal jury concluded after a three-day trial that the company failed to reasonably accommodate Tanja Benton’s religious beliefs. Benton, a biostatistical research scientist, predominantly worked from home and maintained her work responsibilities did not necessitate physical interaction, which she argued made her physical vaccination unnecessary. She held the position for over six years before her termination in November 2021. Benton’s … Read more

Federal Court Reinstates Millions in Damages Against White Supremacists for Charlottesville Rally Violence

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Richmond, Va. — A federal appeals court on Monday overturned a previous decision that had substantially reduced the damages awarded to plaintiffs who suffered during the violent Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in 2017. The court’s decision reinstates over $2 million in damages, initially granted by a jury to victims who endured physical and emotional distress caused by prominent white supremacists and hate groups. In 2021, a jury awarded $24 million in total damages to eight plaintiffs for the hardships endured during the rally. However, this amount was later cut down by a judge … Read more

Insurance Giants Sue Norfolk Southern over Damages from Ohio Train Disaster

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East Palestine, Ohio — A major U.S. railway operator, Norfolk Southern, is facing a lawsuit over a fiery train derailment that occurred in February 2023, causing extensive damage and leading to significant insurance claims. A cohort of insurance companies, including Erie Insurance Co. and American Family Insurance Co., has initiated legal action seeking compensation for losses exceeding $75,000, resulting from the mishap that unsettled this small Ohio community. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the lawsuit accuses Norfolk Southern of negligence and the disregard of safety standards that led … Read more

Diplo Facing Legal Battle Over Alleged Revenge Porn, Ex-Partner Seeks $150,000 in Damages

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Los Angeles, CA — Renowned DJ and music producer Thomas Wesley Pentz, known professionally as Diplo, faces allegations of distributing private explicit images without consent, according to a lawsuit filed in California Superior Court this past Thursday. The legal action, initiated by an unnamed woman who claims she was in a relationship with Diplo for six years, is seeking damages amounting to $150,000. The plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe in court documents, contends that Diplo shared sexually explicit photos and videos of her with a third party. It is asserted that these materials were … Read more