USA Archive - Law Commentary

Night view of smoke and flames rising from a train derailment site in Palestine, Ohio, with an illuminated landscape.

Lawsuit Seeks Medical Testing and Damages Following Explosive Ohio Train Derailment

A train derailment that happened in Palestine, Ohio, on February 3rd has led to a class action lawsuit filed by local residents who demand answers after the 150-car train derailed, caught on fire, and leaked hazardous chemicals including vinyl chloride into the air and environment. Officials have still been unable... Read More about Lawsuit Seeks Medical Testing and Damages Following Explosive Ohio Train Derailment

A caregiver holding hands with an elderly person, symbolizing support and care.

Caregiver Falsely Claims Colleague of Elder Abuse, but Innocent Victim Has No Cause of Action

A caregiver to an elderly man was falsely accused of trying to kill him by smothering him with a pillow. She was arrested, charged with attempted murder, couldn’t afford bail, and spent 28 days in custody. But she didn’t do it. Evidence showed that the man’s other caregiver fabricated the... Read More about Caregiver Falsely Claims Colleague of Elder Abuse, but Innocent Victim Has No Cause of Action

A slice of cheesecake topped with fresh raspberries and blueberries on a plate, symbolizing the poisoned dessert involved in a murder attempt case.

Doppelgänger murder attempt with poisoned cheesecake leads to conviction and connects perpetrator to prior alleged murder in Russia

A Queens, New York, woman arrested and charged with trying to murder a woman who looked like her was found guilty. Viktoria Nasyrova, 47, laced a cheesecake with poison and attempted to kill her doppelgänger, 35-year-old Olga Tsvyk, and was found guilty of attempted murder by a jury. Nasyrova was... Read More about Doppelgänger murder attempt with poisoned cheesecake leads to conviction and connects perpetrator to prior alleged murder in Russia

Families Sue Snapchat Parent Company Over Rising Fentanyl Deaths

Families are taking the fight against drugs to the courtroom as over 25 lawsuits have been filed accusing popular social media platform Snapchat and its parent company, Snap Inc., of failing to do more to stop the illegal distribution of drugs to vulnerable teens and young adults. One lawsuit leading... Read More about Families Sue Snapchat Parent Company Over Rising Fentanyl Deaths

A civil rights attorney speaks during a press conference alongside a woman visibly emotional after filing a lawsuit against a Central Florida credit union.

‘Banking While Black’ Lawsuit Filed by Ben Crump Against Central Florida Credit Union

Nationally recognized civil rights attorney Ben Crump has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Black Florida woman against her financial institution. The lawsuit was filed in Orange County and accused MidFlorida Credit Union of violating the Black patron’s civil rights. Retired Polk County teacher Linda Stephens, 70, has banked... Read More about ‘Banking While Black’ Lawsuit Filed by Ben Crump Against Central Florida Credit Union

Bottles of Fireball Cinnamon displayed on a store shelf.

Proposed Class Action Claims Fireball Cinnamon Doesn’t Actually Contain Whiskey

To the dismay of aging frat bros and raver chicks nationwide, the makers of Fireball whiskey may have been lying to us all this time. Consumers filed a lawsuit against Sazerac Company, Inc., claiming that mini bottles of the company’s Fireball Cinnamon don’t actually contain any whiskey. Sazerac sells Fireball... Read More about Proposed Class Action Claims Fireball Cinnamon Doesn’t Actually Contain Whiskey

Former Twitter Employees Forced to Arbitrate WARN Act Claims

Several former Twitter employees lost their bid for a class action against the social media giant based on alleged violations of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act). The laid-off plaintiffs will be sent to private arbitration to adjudicate their claims on an individual basis. The lawsuit alleges... Read More about Former Twitter Employees Forced to Arbitrate WARN Act Claims

Image depicting a document labeled "POLICE MISCONDUCT" alongside a gavel, symbolizing legal matters related to police conduct.

83-Year-Old Woman Gets Another Chance to Prove Police Used Excessive Force

Could an octogenarian who was five feet, two inches tall and weighed 117 pounds reasonably pose an immediate threat to the officers who stopped her car when they suspected it was stolen? The trial court said “yes” and granted the arresting officers summary judgment due to their qualified immunity. But... Read More about 83-Year-Old Woman Gets Another Chance to Prove Police Used Excessive Force

A person using a smartphone and laptop to access the Google search engine.

Plaintiffs Fight to Continue Systemic Race Discrimination Class Action Against Google

Last March, several former Google employees filed a proposed class action alleging the tech giant’s corporate culture imposes a systemic bias against Black workers. The parties are now engaged in a battle over whether the class claims should be dismissed out of hand. The case arises from allegations that Google’s... Read More about Plaintiffs Fight to Continue Systemic Race Discrimination Class Action Against Google

A display of various firearms mounted on a wall in a gun shop.

California Officials Propose New Legislation to Curb Gun Violence

California ranks first in the nation for gun safety. But the mass shootings of 19 Californians last month have prompted Governor Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and a state senator to propose new amendments that are designed to strengthen gun safety laws and make them even stronger. California’s rate of... Read More about California Officials Propose New Legislation to Curb Gun Violence

The facade of the United States Department of Agriculture building with an American flag waving above.

Department of Agriculture Proposes Rules for Healthier School Lunch

One out of five children in the United States is obese. The rates for Hispanic and Black children are even higher, putting them at greater risk for dangerous health conditions. Over 30 million American children now rely on free or reduced-priced school breakfasts and/or lunches. But history shows that attempts... Read More about Department of Agriculture Proposes Rules for Healthier School Lunch

A press conference featuring two speakers, one in a blue dress and the other in a suit, standing at a podium with stained glass windows in the background.

Los Angeles Bank Pays $31M Settlement For Lending Discrimination

City National Bank has agreed to pay $31 million to settle claims brought by the Department of Justice alleging the bank committed lending discrimination in Los Angeles County. The DOJ recently announced the multi-million dollar settlement with City National, Los Angeles County’s largest bank, which resolved claims that the bank... Read More about Los Angeles Bank Pays $31M Settlement For Lending Discrimination

A man and a woman posing together for a selfie, both smiling, with the woman making a peace sign gesture.

Family of Decapitated Ugandan Activist Awarded $10M for Her Wrongful Death, Significantly Lower Than Anticipated

The family of a Ugandan human rights activist will receive more than $10 million from the U.S. government after their loved one died in an accident at the Utah National Park in 2020. The family of Esther “Essie” Nakajjigo welcomed the settlement despite it being much lower than the original... Read More about Family of Decapitated Ugandan Activist Awarded $10M for Her Wrongful Death, Significantly Lower Than Anticipated

Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley appear in a split image, capturing their complex mother-daughter relationship amidst legal challenges regarding Lisa Marie's will.

Suspicious Minds: Priscilla Presley files legal challenge of Lisa Marie Presley’s will

The death of the famous musician and only child of Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, 54, shocked the world. Officials reported the cause of death was cardiac arrest. Days after her daughter’s death, Ms. Presley’s mother and ex-wife of the legendary musician Elvis Presley challenged the validity of their only... Read More about Suspicious Minds: Priscilla Presley files legal challenge of Lisa Marie Presley’s will

Close-up view of asbestos fibers on a surface.

Testimony of Avon Employee Improperly Relied on in Mesothelioma Case

Regardless of whether the litigant is the plaintiff or the defendant, it is difficult to prove a 50-year-old case based on alleged exposure to a toxic substance. The link between asbestos and mesothelioma has been scientifically proven. But the lack of the specific evidence needed to link the death of... Read More about Testimony of Avon Employee Improperly Relied on in Mesothelioma Case