Precedent

Whistleblower Victory: $27.5 Million Jury Award Against Dignity Health Marks Significant Legal Precedent

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LOS ANGELES — A significant legal battle culminated in a $27.5 million jury verdict for a whistleblower case against Dignity Health. The landmark verdict was secured by attorneys David M. deRubertis and his firm, Hershey Law, marking a notable moment in whistleblower protection litigation. The case centered around allegations that Dignity Health retaliated against a former employee who raised concerns about unethical practices within the organization. The jury found in favor of the whistleblower, underscoring the importance of safeguarding individuals who report wrongdoing in workplace environments. Over the course of the trial, the evidence presented … Read more

Judge Upholds Multi-Million Dollar Award for Former Patients in Cumberland Hospital Abuse Case, Setting Precedent for Justice

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RICHMOND, Va. — A circuit judge has ruled that three former patients of Cumberland Hospital will continue to receive a multi-million dollar award, albeit with a small reduction, and will not face a retrial. This decision follows allegations made by the women, who claimed they were sexually assaulted by former Medical Director Daniel Davidow during their time at the facility in New Kent. The plaintiffs reported inappropriate touching during their admission exams, leading to a civil trial in September. During that trial, a jury determined that the women were owed $360 million, factoring in violations … Read more

NLRB Legal Chief Challenges Decades-Old Precedent on Presidential Firing Powers for Independent Agencies

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New York, NY – The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) may not be protected by a nearly century-old Supreme Court ruling that has generally safeguarded the independence of certain agency officials from presidential dismissal. This view was expressed by the acting general counsel, William Cowen, during a labor and employment law conference held at New York University. Cowen raised concerns about whether the precedent established in the 1935 case, Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, still applies to modern government agencies. The ruling affirmed Congress’s authority to limit the president’s ability to remove members of independent … Read more

Exoneree Fights to Uphold $5.7 Million Verdict Against New Milford, Citing Judicial Precedent and Evidence of Misconduct

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Bridgeport, Conn. — A man recently exonerated after spending three decades in prison has urged a federal judge to dismiss a Connecticut town’s attempt to overturn a $5.7 million award associated with evidence fabrication. Ralph “Ricky” Birch contended in a filing that the evidence presented in his favor supports his claims and that the town’s previous defeat in an appellate court strengthens his case. In a legal response submitted to U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden, Birch emphasized that under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, federal judges can only nullify jury verdicts under specific … Read more