Justices to hear arguments on 2 transfer petitions
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases this week, considering whether to grant transfer to disputes involving college athletes and police interrogations.
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Justices to hear arguments in med-mal case over hepatitis misdiagnosis
The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in a case brought by a woman who was incorrectly told a hepatitis test was negative when the test revealed she was, in fact, hepatitis positive.
Justices reinstate adoption without mother’s consent
An Indiana trial court properly allowed an adoption to proceed without a mother’s consent, the Indiana Supreme Court has ruled, reinstating an adoption petition for the child whose mother failed to communicate or pay child support.
Mom who didn’t witness daughter’s sexual abuse can’t recover emotional damages, COA affirms
The mother of a child with severe mental and physical disabilities cannot recover emotional distress damages from the school where her child was sexually abused because the mother did not witness the abuse, the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed. However, the mother’s claim for economic damages can proceed.
Suit: Police excessive force caused Indianapolis woman’s death
The estate of an Indianapolis woman who died from a lack of oxygen in 2019 after officers restrained her facedown in a church is suing the city and its police department, alleging that officers caused her death by using excessive force.
Parents’ gender-marker change requests for transgender kids splits COA
Two Indiana trial courts must reconsider parents’ requests to change their children’s birth certificate gender markers, a majority of the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, finding parents have statutory authority to request the changes for their minor transgender children. A dissenting judge, however, opined that Wednesday’s decision was a judicial overreach into legislative powers.
High court won’t revive Stormy Daniels’ defamation suit against Trump
The United States Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from porn star Stormy Daniels, who sought to revive a defamation lawsuit she filed against former President Donald Trump.
Governor signs bill for Indiana COVID-19 lawsuit shield
Indiana businesses and others now have broad protections from lawsuits by people blaming them for contracting COVID-19 under a new state law signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Indiana Southern District to resume in-person jury trials in April
The Southern Indiana District Court has announced plans to resume in-person jury trials in April following a months-long hiatus due to the pandemic. Jury trials in Southern District courts are expected to resume April 5, and clerk offices in all divisions will reopen to the public next week.
COA orders new hearing on $32K civil forfeiture
A Hancock County trial court must revisit the forfeiture of more than $32,000 related to a marijuana bust after the Indiana Court of Appeals found errors in various evidentiary rulings.
Attorney-at-paw? Filter during Zoom hearing makes lawyer appear as cat
A West Texas judge has a word of caution to those attending court hearings via Zoom: Always check for filters before logging on. The advice came after a Texas lawyer had difficulty removing the filter during the hearing, assuring the judge, “I’m here live. I’m not a cat.”
Forfeiture case that went to SCOTUS before Indiana high court for third time
For the third time, the case regarding the forfeiture of a Marion man’s Land Rover went back before the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday. Justices were asked once again to allow the state to forfeit the vehicle that Tyson Timbs was driving in 2013 when he was arrested for drug dealing.
Fowl investment gone foul leads to reversal at COA
Despite ruffled feathers among parties involved in a bird investment project, a nearly $40,000 judgment for the investor has been reversed after a split Indiana Court of Appeals determined the trial court applied the wrong law in awarding relief.
SCOTUS sides with Germany in Nazi-era art dispute
The United States Supreme Court’s ruling Wednesday in a multimillion-dollar dispute over a collection of religious artworks will make it harder for some lawsuits to be tried in U.S. courts over claims that property was taken from Jews during the Nazi era.
Justices rule for company in dispute with ex-officer over share value
A dispute over the valuation of shares has been resolved in favor of a company after the Indiana Supreme Court upheld the discounts that were applied to the valuation. The former company partner who sued previously won a Court of Appeals ruling that increased the value of his shares by more than $1 million.
COA affirms for general contractor in Lake County traffic construction dispute
A panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed judgment for a construction company against its subcontractor after a negligence suit was brought against it following an accident that took place in a Lake County traffic pattern the companies were working on.
COVID liability immunity bills advance, but questions of scope remain
Legislation in the Indiana Senate that would protect businesses from COVID-related liability is one step closer to becoming law, having reached the full Senate floor for a successful vote on an amendment offered by the bill’s author. Meanwhile, companion legislation in the Indiana House passed out of committee this week.
Ex-Boone County pediatrician convicted of molesting patients loses appeal
A former Boone County pediatrician convicted on multiple charges of sexual misconduct against his minor patients has lost his appeal of his felony convictions and his consecutive sentences.
7th Circuit affirms dismissal of debt collection challenge for lack of injury
Though an Indiana woman defeated a debt collector’s claim for arbitration, her lawsuit challenging the creditor’s debt collection practices lacks standing, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed, dismissing the case that previously had been remanded to the Southern District.
Ex-lawyer accused of stealing from estate scrutinized for land deals
A one-time northern Indiana judge and lawyer who resigned amid a disciplinary case alleging he and his law firm stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a widow client’s estate may have used ill-gotten money to pay down his home mortgage, a court filing suggests.