Victims

Oregon Passes Landmark Stalking Bill to Protect Victims from Emerging Technology

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St. Helens, Oregon – The Oregon House and Senate have recently passed a bill aimed at updating the state’s stalking laws to address the advances in technology that weren’t accounted for when the original laws were written. The bill, known as House Bill 4156, is currently awaiting Governor Tina Kotek’s signature and is set to take effect on July 1, 2024. The motivation behind the bill’s modernization comes in part from the efforts of St. Helens Police Detective Sergeant Matt Smith. Smith’s involvement with the bill began when a local stalking case was brought to … Read more

Louisiana Supreme Court Strikes Down Statute Allowing Victims of Child Sex Abuse to Seek Justice Beyond Time Limit

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Lafayette, Louisiana – The Supreme Court of Louisiana has made a landmark ruling, declaring a law that allowed victims of child sex abuse to sue their abusers many years after the crime as unconstitutional. While three justices dissented and provided their reasons, the court’s decision has far-reaching implications. The lawsuit in question, filed in St. Martin Parish, accuses the church of being aware of the sexual abuse perpetrated by the late Reverend Monsignor Kenneth Romain Morvant. The abuse allegedly occurred in the 1970s at a Catholic church and school in St. Martin Parish. Typically, plaintiffs … Read more

New Yorkers Rally for Legislative Change as Judges Slash Employment Bias Lawsuit Verdicts, Undermining Justice for Victims

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New York, NY – New Yorkers who prevail in employment bias lawsuits often receive far less compensation than what juries initially granted them, due to judges reducing the amounts. State lawmakers are now working on legislation to rectify this issue, as they believe it undermines justice for victims and fails to discourage employers from continuing harmful practices. State Senator Andrew Gournardes is leading the effort to pass a bill that would protect jury verdicts in such cases. Under the current rule in New York, judges are required to lower verdicts if they deviate significantly from … Read more

PacifiCorp Ordered to Pay $42 Million to Wildfire Victims in Recent Landmark Verdict

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Mill City, Oregon – PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has been ordered by an Oregon jury to pay over $42 million to 10 victims of devastating wildfires that took place on Labor Day in 2020. This ruling is part of ongoing litigation in which the electric utility could potentially be liable for billions of dollars in damages. Last year, a jury found PacifiCorp negligent for failing to cut power to its 600,000 customers despite warnings from fire officials, making it liable for punitive and other damages. The recent decision marks the third verdict to … Read more