Slashes

Court Slashes Claims in Lawsuit Regarding Detainee Legal Rights at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

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A district judge in Gering, Nebraska, has dismissed part of a lawsuit regarding the access to legal representation for detainees at the Cheyenne County Jail, often referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The ruling emerged from a civil rights complaint filed by a former inmate at the facility. The plaintiff contended that the jail’s conditions hindered access to legal counsel, which raised significant concerns about the detainees’ rights. However, the court found that some claims lacked sufficient basis to proceed. The lawsuit specifically highlighted issues around the lack of private meeting spaces for detainees and their … Read more

Baltimore Judge Slashes $266M Opioid Settlement to $100M, Leaves City to Decide on Future Options

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Baltimore, Maryland, is facing a legal setback in its fight against the opioid epidemic as a judge has rejected a jury’s suggested $266 million award against pharmaceutical giants McKesson and Cencora, previously known as AmerisourceBergen. Instead, the court has offered the city a more modest $100 million in abatement funds. The legal action, initiated by Baltimore in 2024, accused both companies of contributing to the opioid crisis by distributing excessive quantities of prescription opioids in the region. According to city officials, McKesson and Cencora were responsible for around 60% of the prescription opioid market in … Read more

Judge Slashes Baltimore’s $266 Million Verdict Against Drug Giants, Citing Excessive Damages in Opioid Case

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BALTIMORE — A judge has determined that jurors significantly overstepped in their financial award to the city in a major drug-related case against two pharmaceutical giants. Following a verdict last November that held McKesson and AmerisourceBergen accountable for exacerbating Baltimore’s opioid crisis, the presiding judge suggested modifying the initial damages awarded from $266 million to just $52 million. Baltimore City Circuit Judge Lawrence Fletcher-Hill ruled that the jurors’ decision was “grossly excessive” and prompted concern, stating that the initial verdict was “shocking” given the presented evidence. The case centered around claims that the companies had … Read more

"Federal Judge Slashes T.I. and Tiny’s $53.6M Award in Doll Infringement Case, But Upholds $17.8M Damages Against MGA Entertainment"

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SANTA ANA, Calif. — A federal judge has overturned a jury’s punitive damages decision that originally awarded hip-hop artists T.I. and Tiny Harris $53.6 million in their legal battle against MGA Entertainment, the maker of L.O.L. Surprise! dolls. The judge’s ruling did not nullify the jury’s earlier finding that MGA must pay $17.8 million for trade dress infringement and likeness misappropriation related to 15 dolls depicting the OMG Girlz, a group fronted by the Harris’s daughter, Zonnique Pullins. Senior U.S. District Judge James V. Selna stated there was insufficient evidence to suggest MGA acted with … Read more