Topic
Every decision we've filed under Civil.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that two commercial insurance policies covering a tractor-trailer involved in a fatal collision share equal payment priority. The court rejected arguments that one policy should pay first or that a specific clause created a 'super excess' tier of coverage.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a postjudgment motion challenging the remand of a child-custody case to state court. The court held it lacks jurisdiction to review remand orders based on a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction and found no evidence of judicial bias.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that two commercial liability insurance policies covering a tractor-trailer involved in a fatal collision share equal payment priority. The court held that neither insurer holds superior rights to primary coverage under Illinois law, rejecting arguments for a 'super excess' tier.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a franchisee's fraudulent transfer claims, holding that a settlement agreement barring non-FLSA claims remains enforceable even if the FLSA claims within it lacked required court approval. The court clarified that while the Fair Labor Standards Act mandates judicial or Department of Labor oversight for wage claims, state contract law governs the release of all other claims settled in the same agreement.
The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction, holding that Idaho-based medical providers purposefully availed themselves of Washington law by treating a Washington resident and transmitting prescriptions to Washington pharmacies. The court also affirmed that venue was proper in the Eastern District of Washington because a substantial part of the events giving rise to the wrongful-death claims occurred there.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a prison doctor and her employer, ruling that delays in treating a prisoner's broken hand did not constitute deliberate indifference under the Eighth Amendment. The court held that the medical staff's reliance on standard scheduling procedures and their reasonable response to the injury negated any claim of constitutional violation.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a challenge to the Wisconsin Elections Commission for lack of Article III standing. The court held that the Wisconsin Voter Alliance failed to demonstrate a concrete injury beyond a bare procedural violation of the Help America Vote Act.
The D.C. Circuit affirmed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's approval of a PJM tariff amendment ending Energy Efficient Resources' eligibility for capacity auctions. The court held that the amendment was prospective and did not violate the filed-rate doctrine, even though it divested Affirmed Energy of rights to bid in future auctions.
The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's denial of a motion to vacate a dismissal order, ruling that the lower court retained jurisdiction to consider the motion despite lacking authority to directly enforce the settlement. The appellate court directed the district court to grant the motion based on the defendants' bad faith conduct that frustrated the settlement agreement.
The First Circuit vacated summary judgment on design defect claims because expert testimony raised a genuine dispute over whether a reasonable alternative design could have prevented a fatal accident. The court affirmed summary judgment on manufacturing defect and maintenance claims, finding insufficient evidence to link the missing safety barrier to the victim's entry into the danger zone.