Music Giants Triumph as Appeals Court Upholds Copyright Verdict Against ISP, Orders New Damages Trial

AUSTIN, Texas — In a significant legal showdown, a Texas federal jury ruled against the internet service provider Grande Communications in late 2022, ordering it to pay $47 million in damages for what was found to be willful contributory copyright infringement. This marked a considerable victory for major music companies including Warner Bros. and Sony Music, who argued that Grande failed to adequately address piracy among its users. The music companies had accused Grande Communications, which is under the ownership of Astound, of not taking necessary actions to disconnect repeat copyright offenders using its service, … Read more

Jury Upholds $852,616 Award for Pennsylvania Jail Employee Fired Over Racial Slur Complaint

Philadelphia, PA – A former Pennsylvania prison staffer, who was terminated after protesting a racial insult directed at his biracial grand-niece, will retain a staggering $852,616 in damages, following a jury ruling in his favor. The decision was recently upheld by the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, marking the conclusion of a notable legal battle over workplace discrimination and retaliation. Jeffrey Kengerski, the employee at the center of the lawsuit, had alleged that his dismissal from the Allegheny County Jail was a direct retaliation for his complaints against discriminatory remarks made by … Read more

Court Upholds $28 Million Verdict and Approves Additional Interest in Kansas City Life Insurance Breach of Contract Case

Kansas City, MO – In a landmark ruling, the Western District Court of Appeals has confirmed that prejudgment interest should be tacked onto a $28 million jury verdict in a class action lawsuit against Kansas City Life Insurance Company (KCL). The decision, issued on September 24, overturns an earlier denial of the prejudgment interest and underscores a breach of contract concerning the insurer’s method of calculating policy cash values. The litigation initiated by David B. Karr, representing over 8,000 policyholders, stems from allegations that KCL improperly deducted from the accounts’ monthly cash value under the … Read more

Missouri Court Upholds $28 Million Verdict Against Kansas City Life Insurance, Orders Additional Prejudgment Interest

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — In a significant ruling, a Missouri appellate court has affirmed a $28 million jury award in a class-action lawsuit involving Kansas City Life Insurance Co. The case centers on disputes over the way universal life insurance policies’ values were calculated, potentially affecting numerous policyholders. Additionally, the court has remanded the matter back to trial court to address the issue of prejudgment interest, which could substantially increase the compensation owed to affected class members. The appellate court’s decision stems from a lawsuit titled Karr v. Kansas City Life Insurance Co., where plaintiffs … Read more