Posted inLawsuits

Wildfire Lawsuits Refuse to Extinguish

Snuffed out

Sometimes when you ignore the law, you may have to face the consequences.  Due to the company’s negligence in a wildfire that took place in 2018, J-Spear Ranch in Paisley, Oregon is left to deal with a second lawsuit filed against them.  While the first lawsuit was initiated by a timber company, this second swing at legal action is taken by the federal government.  The lawsuits intend to hold J-Spear Ranch responsible for the Fremont-Winema National Forest’s Watson Creek Fire. 

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Posted inLawsuits

Lawsuit Bridges Gap in Construction Plans

Who will determine the fate of the bridge?

Rehabilitation versus reconstruction is the theme of an ongoing lawsuit in Maine.  The Frank J. Wood Bridge will be changing in the foreseeable future, but the question remains whether the bridge will be rebuilt or just modified.  Those who oppose the rebuilding of the bridge are the same groups that have filed a lawsuit against the Maine Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.  Friends of the Frank J. Wood Bridge, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Historic Bridge Foundation are pushing for rehabilitation.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Masking the Issue

Youth sports

As the pandemic continues to affect our daily lives, parents and coaches are attempting to bring the routine of America’s youth back to normalcy.  In particular, a group referred to as “Let Them Play MN” has taken legal action and is asking Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to end the COVID-19 mandate affecting youth athletics.  The restrictions require athletes participating in youth sports to wear masks during practice and game time.  Supported by medical experts, the group of parents and coaches are concerned about the masks hindering breathing abilities and visibility.  Both may lead to an increased potential for injury.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Traveling a Slippery Slope

Dangerous terrain

A school committed to providing an education on avalanche safety is now the topic of a recent lawsuit. The family of Peter Marshall is suing Silverton Avalanche School, among other defendants, for wrongful death.  According to the lawsuit, on January 5, 2019, there was a misjudgment of how steep the slope was, as well as the potential to cause an avalanche.  Two avalanches were triggered, which led to Marshall getting trapped under several feet of snow. The guide, Zachary Lovell, and the remaining students searched for Marshall but were unable to find him until 50 minutes after the second avalanche.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Crack Down on Animal Neglect

Cattle trouble

A Colorado-based ranch is taking legal action against a Nebraska-run grazing business for breach of contract.  In April 2020, the two parties agreed that Cornerstone Grazing, operated by owners, Derek and Lesa Schwanebeck, and their sole employee, John C. Odom, would graze 603 bred cows and 22 bulls throughout the course of the summer.  The contract would end on November 12 when Three Forks Ranch would sell the bred cows.  Following a September 2 report that several cows had died due to an apparent outbreak of disease, Three Forks Ranch employees traveled to Cornerstone Grazing to find twenty dead cattle.  The Colorado ranch is now suing the Nebraska ranch for $500,000 in damages.

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