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 3 2026
25-2360 Panel Decision

MARCUS L. PECK v. FIRST TECHNOLOGY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION and AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC

The Seventh Circuit vacated a district court dismissal of a consumer's federal claims against a creditor, ruling that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine does not bar suits alleging independent post-judgment debt collection misconduct. The appellate court held that claims regarding deceptive collection practices occurring after a state garnishment order are distinct from challenges to the state court's judgment itself.

Bankruptcy Civil
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Feb 2 2026
25-2277 Panel Decision

STEVEN L. ZIRKO v. CHERYL HANSEN

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a nurse practitioner who discontinued a prisoner's medical shower permit. The court held that her decision did not constitute deliberate indifference under the Eighth Amendment because she relied on prison directives and the plaintiff's alternative access to showers.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Feb 2 2026
25-1859 Panel Decision

PACKAGING CORPORATION OF AMERICA THRIFT PLAN FOR HOURLY EMPLOYEES v. DENA LANGDON CHRISTINA COPISKEY, as the Personal Representative of the Estate of CARL W. KLEINFELDT and the...

The Seventh Circuit reversed a district court ruling that applied the substantial compliance doctrine to validate a decedent's fax request to change a retirement beneficiary. The appellate court held that sending a fax did not constitute the positive action required by the plan's strict terms, leaving the ex-wife as the rightful primary beneficiary.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits
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Feb 2 2026
25-1124 Panel Decision

MARKANTHONY M. HARRIS v. JEREMY WILTZIUS

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for prison officials, holding that disciplinary segregation and a transfer to a maximum-security facility did not deprive the prisoner of a constitutionally protected liberty interest. Because no liberty interest was implicated, the court declined to rule on whether the disciplinary hearing procedures were constitutionally deficient.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Feb 2 2026
25-1432 Panel Decision

JESSIE HATCHER v. JOHN JONES

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for prison medical staff and their employer, ruling that delays in post-operative care did not constitute deliberate indifference to a prisoner's serious medical needs. The court held that providers acted within professional discretion and that the plaintiff failed to prove an unconstitutional policy by the employer.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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Feb 2 2026
24-3204 Panel Decision

FODIES MCBRIDE, SR v. ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Seventh Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by a pro se litigant who failed to argue that the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over his claims. The appellate court deemed the appeal frivolous because the appellant did not engage with the court's dispositive determination that his complaints failed to allege violations of federal law or establish diversity jurisdiction.

Civil Insurance
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Feb 2 2026
25-1717 Panel Decision

MICHELLE L. VEASEY v. MIKE THOMS

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court ruling granting summary judgment to local officials in a civil rights suit challenging the revocation of a liquor license. The appellate court upheld the lower court's findings that the officials were protected by absolute immunity and that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence of due process violations or racial discrimination.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Feb 2 2026
25-1061 Panel Decision

RYAN W. MILBECK v. ALLISON GEORGE, et al

The Seventh Circuit held that a law enforcement officer's 'temporary felony want' does not constitute a valid warrant sufficient to justify entering a home without a judge's authorization. While the court affirmed the dismissal of claims regarding arrest and malicious prosecution due to probable cause, it reversed the dismissal of the plaintiff's Fourth Amendment claim for unlawful warrantless entry.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity
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Dec 17 2025
25-1361 Panel Decision

TANYA N. SVOBODA and ANTONELLA M. ORTIZ COLOSI v. AMAZON.COM INC. and AMAZON.COM SERVICES, LLC

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court's certification of a class action against Amazon for alleged violations of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. The court held that common questions regarding Amazon's data collection practices predominate over individual questions about user location, allowing the case to proceed as a class action.

Civil Civil Rights - ADA / Other
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