Tort Law

Beyond Traditional Tort Law, ‘Desk Rage’ is Now a Potential Claim

Although not recognized as a cause of action in most jurisdictions, “desk rage”—i.e., abusive or threatening conduct at the workplace—is a growing problem and a growing concern to employers and the lawyers who advise them. At its worst, the occupational violence that can result from stressed and angry employees facing…

Aug 1, 2008 11:36 PM CDT

Ex-Staffer’s ‘Sexual Predator’ Suit ‘Ridiculous,’ Says Big PI Lawyer

A former paralegal’s allegation that he is a “sexual predator” is but one of many “untrue” and “ridiculous” claims in her lawsuit against him and two law firms at which he worked, a prominent Houston plaintiffs attorney says. Likewise, Angela Robinson’s claims that he cheated clients on some fees “make…

Aug 1, 2008 10:39 PM CDT

Appeals Court Vacates Ruling for Duane Morris in Malpractice Case

A ruling by a federal appeals court clears the way for a plaintiff to pursue a malpractice suit against Duane Morris in state court. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a federal judge lacked jurisdiction to grant summary judgment to the law firm, since a…

Aug 1, 2008 6:12 PM CDT

Unhappy Ending

Spirited Performance, Poorly Aimed Heel Ensure That Patron Pays for Lap Dance in More Ways than One

Aug 1, 2008 4:42 PM CDT

Victims or Whiners? L.A. Celebrities Seek Protection Against Paparazzi

Complaining that they are being besieged by the tabloid photographers, celebrities met with Los Angeles officials yesterday to seek protection from further harassment. “But Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton criticized many of the ideas as unenforceable, and one head of a photo agency characterized some of the celebrities as…

Aug 1, 2008 4:05 PM CDT

Rob Lowe & Nanny Who Sued Him Both Proclaim Victory re Court Ruling

After a California judge’s decision to dismiss a defamation claim by actor Rob Lowe and a retaliation claim by his former nanny, Jessica Gibson, both sides proclaimed victory this week in the ongoing litigation. It began with a pre-emptive strike by Lowe, 44, who filed a complaint in April claiming…

Aug 1, 2008 3:35 PM CDT

Thong or Slingshot?

Woman Sues Maker of Sexy Apparel, Claiming Skimpy Undergarment Was an Unintended Eyeful

Aug 1, 2008 1:00 PM CDT

Yale Students Unmask Anonymous Critics; Legal Careers at Risk

Apparent law students who posted nasty comments about female classmates on the Internet thought they were doing so anonymously. But now two female Yale Law School students who sued over the AutoAdmit posts have identified at least some of those who made the vile comments, including posts that said women…

Jul 31, 2008 8:50 PM CDT

Lawyer Willie Gary Fights Rape Claim With Sex Tapes of Accuser

Florida trial lawyer Willie Gary has submitted two tapes to a court overseeing a civil suit alleging he raped a woman. The two DVDs show his accuser having sex with his son. Gary’s lawyer, Michael Pike, says the tapes show the accuser, Jillian Nedd, had sex with Gary’s son Kenneth…

Jul 31, 2008 2:03 PM CDT

Orrick Agrees to Settle San Diego Malpractice Suit for $2.8M

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe has agreed to pay San Diego $2.8 million to settle a malpractice suit that contended the law firm failed to uncover the extent of the city’s unfunded pension debt in time to help avert the problem. San Diego city attorney Michael Aguirre announced the settlement yesterday…

Jul 30, 2008 10:45 AM CDT

Big PI Lawyer a ‘Sexual Predator’ Who Cheated Clients, Ex-Staffer Says

A former paralegal for a well-known Texas plaintiffs lawyer has reportedly dropped a bombshell in the form of a wrongful termination suit. Angela Robinson, who was fired in April, contends in the Harris County lawsuit (PDF) that Richard Laminack demanded sexual favors from employees of both sexes and once encouraged…

Jul 29, 2008 7:44 PM CDT

Gibson Dunn Fights ‘Yo-Yo Effect’ in $13M Punitive Damages Case

From $98 million to $20 million to $13.3 million to zero and now back to $13.4 million again, the value of a closely watched Tennessee wrongful death case against an automobile manufacturer has swung back and forth, in what one defense lawyer refers to as a “yo-yo effect.” Now, after…

Jul 29, 2008 7:30 PM CDT

Columnist Chased by Lawyer, After Accident, Has Brain Tumor

A 77-year-old syndicated newspaper columnist who reportedly hit an elderly pedestrian and didn’t stop last week until a lawyer chased him down on a bicycle was diagnosed a few days later with a brain tumor. Robert Novak revealed the Sunday diagnosis today, and is suspending his work for the Chicago…

Jul 28, 2008 7:39 PM CDT

$13M in Punitives OK’d in Tennessee Wrongful Death Case

The Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld a $13 million award of punitive damages against an automobile manufacturer in a closely watched case claiming that a dangerous minivan seat caused the death of an 8-month-old passenger. But it rejected an additional $6 million in punitives for the mother’s emotional distress, reports…

Jul 28, 2008 6:30 PM CDT

Hasbro Sues Scrabulous Creators, Asks Facebook for Takedown

One of the most popular features on Facebook could soon be gone, if the social networking site’s operators comply with a takedown request from a U.S. toymaker. The Scrabulous game that users play online infringes on its own Scrabble game, Hasbro says in a lawsuit filed in federal court in…

Jul 25, 2008 7:43 PM CDT