Topic

Summary Judgment

Every decision we've filed under Summary Judgment.

MICHAEL D. HICKINGBOTTOM v. CHRISTOPHER HOLCOMB

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for prison officials regarding an Eighth Amendment claim about black mold, ruling that reasonable remediation efforts negate a finding of deliberate indifference. The court also upheld a jury verdict against the plaintiff on a heat-related claim, rejecting arguments regarding ineffective counsel and jury composition.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment

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Feb 5 2026

7th Cir. 24-3105 Panel Decision

LOGAN DYJAK v. LANA MILLER and KATE PATAROZZI

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the grant of summary judgment for facility officials, holding that they were entitled to qualified immunity regarding visitation restrictions. The court found that no clearly established First Amendment right existed for civil detainees to unrestricted visitation under the specific pandemic-era and post-pandemic circumstances faced by the facility.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment

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Feb 2 2026

7th Cir. 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

7th Cir. 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

1st Cir. 24-1942 Panel Decision

BLUERADIOS, INC. v. HAMILTON, BROOK, SMITH & REYNOLDS, P.C.

The First Circuit reversed the district court's summary judgment in a legal malpractice suit, holding that a genuine issue of material fact exists regarding when the statute of limitations began to run. The court further ruled as a matter of law that an attorney-client relationship existed between the tech company and the law firm, rejecting the lower court's dismissal of the claims.

Civil Intellectual Property Statute of Limitations Summary Judgment

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Jan 28 2026

4th Cir. 24-6996 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MARCUS ROOSEVELT TAYLOR

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the denial of Marcus Taylor's federal post-conviction relief motion, ruling that his challenges to the sufficiency of evidence were procedurally barred. The court further held that Taylor failed to demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel or the need for an evidentiary hearing regarding his trial strategy claims.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Summary Judgment

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Jan 28 2026

11th Cir. 1:22-cv-00532-JCF Published

Lewis v. Sheriff, Fulton County Georgia

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for county sheriffs sued under the ADA and Rehabilitation Act, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove intentional discrimination required for monetary damages. The court also held that the plaintiff's claims for injunctive relief were moot because he was no longer incarcerated.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Mootness Summary Judgment

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Jan 27 2026

1st Cir. 25-1134 Panel Decision

JANE DOE v. CITY OF BOSTON; BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT; INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS in the official capacities

The First Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the City of Boston, ruling that no reasonable jury could find the police department's disclosure of a former officer's disciplinary records was motivated by retaliation. The court held that the department's actions were driven by standard procedures and legal obligations rather than a desire to punish the plaintiff for protected conduct.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment

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Jan 26 2026

11th Cir. 1:22-cv-01046-CLM Published

Brittany Finney v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment to MetLife, holding that the insurer's denial of accidental death benefits was not arbitrary or capricious. The court ruled that the insured's pre-existing chronic lung disease contributed to her death, triggering a specific illness exclusion in the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Act policy.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil Summary Judgment

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Jan 20 2026

U.S. Sup. Ct. 24-440 9-0

Berk v. Choy

The Supreme Court held that Delaware's affidavit-of-merit requirement cannot be enforced in federal court because it conflicts with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8. The Court reversed the Third Circuit's dismissal, ruling that federal pleading standards govern the sufficiency of a complaint in diversity cases.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment

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