4th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Apr 17 2026
25-1659 Panel Decision

Eichin v. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC

The Fourth Circuit affirmed summary judgment in a products liability case, holding that the district court correctly applied the strict good cause standard of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(b)(4) to deny a late motion to amend a scheduling order. Because the plaintiff failed to demonstrate the requisite diligence in securing expert testimony, his claims were properly dismissed as fatal to his case.

Civil Summary Judgment Tort / Personal Injury
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Apr 17 2026
25-1385 Panel Decision

Kelly Milligan v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated; Bank of America Corporation

The Fourth Circuit affirmed that a financial firm's eight-year retention bonus program does not qualify as an employee pension benefit plan under ERISA. The court held that because the awards were tied to continued service and productivity rather than systematically deferred income for retirement, they fall outside federal pension law protections.

Civil Environmental (Civil) ERISA / Employee Benefits Summary Judgment
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Apr 17 2026
25-1058 Panel Decision

Byers v. Painter

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the denial of qualified immunity for a police officer who used deadly force against a man holding a hatchet, ruling that the force was objectively unreasonable under the totality of the circumstances. The court held that the officer violated clearly established Fourth Amendment rights because the suspect posed no immediate threat and was fleeing when shot in the back.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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Apr 17 2026
22-7371 Panel Decision

Dorrbecker v. Howard

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the denial of a Navy captain's habeas petition, ruling that military courts had subject-matter jurisdiction over his offenses committed on a U.S. base in Italy. The court held that the Uniform Code of Military Justice applies to servicemembers accused of crimes against dependents stationed abroad, regardless of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Apr 17 2026
25-4225 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. WILLIE JUNIOR LILLY

The Fourth Circuit affirmed Willie Junior Lilly's conviction and sentence, holding that his Second Amendment challenge to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) is foreclosed by binding circuit precedent. The court further rejected his sentencing argument, ruling that the district court correctly applied the Sentencing Guidelines to count his prior drug convictions.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
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Apr 16 2026
24-1916 Per Curiam

DAVID ANTHONY BABB v. DAVID ISOM; RUDY SOCHA, CEO, WOUNDED NATURE WORKING VETERANS; JOHN J. TECKLENBURG, Retired; MIKE MERRILL, City Police Officer; S.C ATTORNEY GENERAL ALAN WI...

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of David Anthony Babb's civil rights complaint, ruling that his allegations failed to plausibly establish that private defendants acted as state actors. The court held that mere licensing, regulation, or state approval of private conduct is insufficient to transform private behavior into state action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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