Federal Judge Reduces COVID-19 Vaccine Dismissal Award for Ex-CTA Employee from $425,000 to $300,000

CHICAGO — A federal judge in Illinois has significantly reduced the damages awarded to a former employee of the Chicago Transit Authority from $425,000 to $300,000. This adjustment follows the individual’s claim that he was terminated unjustly for opting not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The case, which garnered attention due to its implications regarding vaccine mandates and employment rights, involved the employee arguing that his dismissal was retaliatory. The ruling reflects ongoing legal debates surrounding workplace vaccination policies, particularly as they relate to individual rights and corporate responsibilities. In recent years, the requirement for … Read more

"PetSmart Exonerated in Assault Case: Jurors Hold Employee Solely Accountable for Customer Dispute"

Detroit, Michigan — A federal jury has cleared PetSmart Inc. of liability in a case stemming from a 2020 incident involving a workplace assault. The verdict, delivered on Friday, assigned full responsibility to a store manager for an altercation that left a customer injured and claiming psychological harm. The jury’s decision resulted from a trial that examined a confrontation between the store manager, Krista Aurand, and customer Iza Noor. The incident occurred on November 17, 2020, during a disagreement over the pricing of dog toys at a Chesterfield location. Following about an hour of deliberation, … Read more

Jury Awards $425,000 to Former CTA Employee Fired Over COVID Vaccine Dispute

CHICAGO — A jury has ruled in favor of a former Chicago Transit Authority employee, awarding him $425,000 in damages after he contended he was wrongfully terminated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine due to his deeply held religious beliefs. Kevin McCormick claimed that his dismissal violated his rights when he sought a religious exemption from the mandate. According to McCormick, he was not granted the exemption and subsequently lost his job, a move he argued was discriminatory. The jury’s decision, announced on Friday, acknowledged McCormick’s claims and affirmed that his rights were indeed compromised. The … Read more

Restaurant Altercation Escalates: Japanese Eatery Employee Faces Grand Jury for Stabbing Co-Worker

ELKINS, W.Va. — A case involving a Japanese restaurant employee accused of stabbing a coworker is set to move forward to a grand jury after the defendant’s preliminary hearing was waived on Monday. Shi Span Pink, 48, faces charges of malicious assault and malicious wounding following an incident at Sakura Japanese Restaurant on August 15. During the proceedings in Randolph County Magistrate Court, Pink’s attorney, Jacob Rosnick from Morgantown, sought a modification of Pink’s bond from the current cash-only requirement of $15,000 to a more flexible cash or surety bond. Rosnick argued that his client … Read more