Emotional Distress Damages Reduced in Court Ruling: Surrogate Motherhood Comparisons Spark Controversy

PITTSBURGH — In a recent ruling, a judge dismissed the notion that a case involving emotional distress warranted a significant monetary award, contrasting it with the compensation typically associated with surrogate motherhood. Judge Kathleen Sullivan concluded that the circumstances of the case did not, in her view, meet the threshold for such damages. Sullivan pointed out that while surrogate mothers often receive compensation for carrying a child, the average amount in the United States is below $100,000. She acknowledged that the pregnancy central to the case was both unplanned and unexpected, which contributed to the … Read more

San Diego County Scores Legal Win as Appeals Court Reduces Damages in Excessive Force Case

San Diego, California – After years of legal battles, San Diego County has achieved a significant win in the case of Mickail Myles, a man who was assaulted by a sheriff’s deputy and bitten by a police dog while he was handcuffed. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a previous jury ruling that awarded Myles $5 million, reducing the damages to $1.5 million, citing minimal evidence of lasting physical injury. In a ruling issued on May 12, the appellate judges noted that Myles did not suffer permanent damage from the dog bite other … Read more

San Diego County Scores Courtroom Win as Appeals Court Reduces Damages in Sheriff’s Deputy Assault Case

San Diego, California—After years of legal battles, San Diego County has secured a significant appellate court victory regarding a controversial case involving police misconduct. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a $5 million jury award to Mickail Myles, who had claimed injury and emotional distress after being forcibly assaulted by a sheriff’s deputy in 2014. The appellate judges ruled that Myles’ damages should be limited to $1.5 million, stating evidence did not support the extent of his claimed lasting injuries. The decision, issued on May 12, highlighted that Myles suffered no permanent impairment … Read more

Federal Circuit Overturns Apple’s Patent Damages Ruling in Major Setback for Optis Technology

On June 16, a notable legal decision emerged from Washington, D.C., as the Federal Circuit reversed a ruling by a district court in the case of Optis Cellular Technology v. Apple Inc. This ruling addressed key issues such as patent eligibility and trial procedures, leading to the vacating of previous infringement and damages judgments against Apple. The Federal Circuit identified several procedural missteps and overturned summary judgment rulings concerning patent eligibility and means-plus-function analysis in the Eastern District of Texas. The dispute centered around five wireless standard-essential patents that Optis had asserted against various Apple … Read more