Posted inSettlements

Dog Finds a New Home

A German Shepherd sits attentively on a path surrounded by snow and trees. The dog wears a collar with a tag and looks off to the side. The background is slightly blurred.
Dog dilemma

Pending a federal lawsuit, the ownership of a dog named Max was up in the air for about five years.  He was not allowed to be adopted or euthanized until a settlement was reached. Max has been described as a vicious dog who apparently attacked individuals who came to the home of his owner, to take him to the hospital.  The emergency responders claimed the dog ran from the home after the alleged attack and was seen running around town.  Although the owner, Charlie Holt, was admitted into the hospital, the shelter that picked up Max said Holt was too late in claiming him.  Due to Holt’s stay in the hospital, it would have been impossible for him to come for the dog during the shelter’s five-day window. As a result, Holt filed a lawsuit in 2016.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Musical Chairs, School Edition

A neatly arranged desk features three stacked books with a red apple on top. Nearby are colorful pencils in red, blue, green, and yellow, along with ABC lettered blocks. A blurred painting is visible in the background.
School swap causes panic

In response to a school board’s decision to move students and staff to neighboring schools in the area, a lawsuit has been filed. The legal claim against Arlington Public School district was initiated in March by a local parent, whose child is a student at Key Elementary School.  Aside from this one parent, there is a general consensus among a lot of the parents and staff that the transitions proposed by the school board are inconvenient and affect thousands of students.  The board’s actions also allegedly violate a Virginia law that prefers a school boundary change over the option to relocate students.

2 minutes
Posted inSettlements

Jalapeño Lawsuit Loses Heat

A glass bowl filled with fresh green jalapeños is placed on a bed of dark wood chips, creating a contrast between the vibrant peppers and the natural texture of the background.
Jalapeño surprise

When consumers have food allergies, there is always a risk in dining at a restaurant.  About two years ago, on May 8, 2018, a patron of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City, Iowa received both a poor dining experience and a trip to the hospital. As a result of her less than pleasurable dinner, Rochelle McCoy filed a lawsuit on May 4 in Woodbury County District Court.  Since then, the lawsuit has been dropped, but the specifications or terms of a potential settlement have not been disclosed to the public.  The culprit that convinced McCoy to take legal action may be described as rich and mild.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

When There is Smoke…

A person grilling food on a barbecue surrounded by dense smoke, set on a wooden deck overlooking a forested area at dusk. The scene conveys a peaceful outdoor cooking experience amidst nature.
There is fire

Alleging false advertising, two consumers of Traeger grills are accusing the company of selling wood pellets that are not in accordance with the “All Natural Hardwood” claim on the product label.  Small traces of food-grade soybean oil are added to the pellets to provide enhanced flavor and grease.  The plaintiffs, Michael Yates and Norman Jones, argue that only 1/3 of the wood is comprised as advertised, leading them to pay above market value price for the pellets that are, according to their dispute, not entirely natural.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

A Flood of Complaints

Cars are submerged in a flooded street as a river overflows, with turbulent water surrounding trees and reaching nearby buildings. A lamp post and green emergency sign are partially visible amidst the flooding.
Broken dam breaks trust

Homeowners in Midland County, Michigan are standing up to the Great Lake State’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.  Claiming the agency played a negligent part in a massive flood, four homeowners are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, a correction to the problem allegedly caused by the defendant, a ruling that the Department’s act was unconstitutional, and repayment of legal fees.  The Edenville Dam is the structure in question, where on May 20 of this year, the weaknesses in the dam failed to partially prevent a flood from destroying homes and private property.

2 minutes