7th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

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

Feb 26 2026
24-1696 Panel Decision

Nielsen v. Sexton

The Seventh Circuit affirmed that prison officials acted with deliberate indifference by using an inmate as bait to catch a staff member who was sexually assaulting her, rejecting their qualified immunity defense. However, the court reversed the damages award, ordering a new trial because the jury lacked sufficient evidence to link the officials to the abuse prior to their specific knowledge and because the exclusion of evidence regarding the inmate's state of mind prejudiced the punitive damages calculation.

Criminal Qualified Immunity Sex Offenses
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Feb 25 2026
25-1289 Panel Decision

TIMOTHY W. MACKALL v. KATHERINE SWEENEY BELL

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a Section 1983 lawsuit alleging that a protective order and subsequent criminal convictions were obtained through fraud. The court held that the plaintiff's claims were barred by Heck v. Humphrey because a favorable ruling would necessarily imply the invalidity of his standing criminal convictions.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Feb 25 2026
25-2302 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. DAVID J. TAYLOR

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of David Taylor's motion for compassionate release, ruling that he failed to prove his medical care was inadequate or that his family circumstances constituted an extraordinary and compelling reason. The court also clarified that rehabilitation efforts alone cannot serve as the basis for early release under the federal statute.

Compassionate Release Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Feb 25 2026
24-3000 Panel Decision

CORNELIUS BROWN v. REYNAL CALDWELL

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for prison medical providers, ruling that conservative treatment of reducible hernias did not constitute deliberate indifference under the Eighth Amendment. The court held that the Constitution guarantees adequate medical care, not the specific surgical treatment a prisoner desires.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Feb 24 2026
25-1115 Panel Decision

KEYONA CAMPBELL v. EDWARD-ELMHURST HEALTH

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Keyona Campbell's Title VII claim against Edward-Elmhurst Health because she lacked Article III standing. The court held that Campbell failed to allege a concrete injury in fact since she voluntarily withdrew from the onboarding process before any alleged harm could materialize.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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Feb 24 2026
25-1485 Panel Decision

STEPAN SEREDA v. NOMAD FREIGHT, INC

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Stepan Sereda's employment discrimination lawsuit, ruling that he failed to exhaust administrative remedies and that several of his statutory claims lack a private right of action. The court held that Sereda's Title VII charge was untimely and that his OSHA and Whistleblower Protection Act claims could not be privately enforced or were procedurally barred.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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Feb 24 2026
24-1100 Panel Decision

JOHNNIE E. RUSSELL v. RYAN COMSTOCK, COLIN POWELL, and DAVE WOHLGEMUTH

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a police officer who conducted a warrantless search of an apartment following a stabbing. The court held that the officer was entitled to qualified immunity because it was not clearly established law that such a search violated the Fourth Amendment under the emergency aid exception.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Feb 24 2026
25-2689 Panel Decision

JORDAN TALLEY-SMITH v. MISSION LANE, LLC

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Jordan Talley-Smith's lawsuit against Mission Lane, LLC, ruling that he cannot represent a private trust pro se and failed to comply with signature requirements under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11. The court held that Smith's claims were frivolous because they relied on the invalid legal theory that a self-created bill of exchange satisfied his debt obligations.

Bankruptcy Civil
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