Topic
Every decision we've filed under Summary Judgment.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment in a prisoner's civil rights action alleging Eighth Amendment violations regarding a COVID-19 outbreak. The panel held that the plaintiff failed to raise a genuine dispute of material fact regarding the defendants' deliberate indifference to his health risks.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment in a prisoner's civil rights case, ruling that the lower court did not abuse its discretion in denying motions to reopen discovery. The appellate court held that the appellant failed to demonstrate the diligence required to justify additional discovery or show that such discovery would have prevented summary judgment.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers and the City of Glasgow, holding that the officers were entitled to qualified immunity when using force against a drug-intoxicated suspect who actively resisted arrest. The court ruled that the use of a taser and knee strikes did not violate clearly established law because the suspect was struggling and refusing to comply with commands.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court's award of litigation costs to Southern Methodist University, ruling that the university qualified as a prevailing party despite one plaintiff's claims surviving summary judgment. The court held that SMU was entitled to recover fees for deposition videos, transcripts, and copying under 28 U.S.C. § 1920 because these expenses were necessary for trial preparation.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a second lawsuit by real estate firms challenging state reclamation activities at a former coal mine. The court held that the doctrine of claim preclusion barred the plaintiffs from relitigating issues arising from the same site and transaction, and that the remaining claim failed to state a valid cause of action under the Clean Water Act.
The Fourth Circuit held that genuine issues of material fact exist regarding whether prison officials were deliberately indifferent to a prisoner's serious physical disabilities by denying him out-of-cell exercise. The court affirmed the dismissal of the claim against the Department of Corrections Director but vacated summary judgment for the local officials, remanding the case for trial.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Dr. Peterson's appeal regarding his removal from the Veterans Administration, holding that the agency's procedures were not arbitrary or capricious. The court found that Peterson received adequate due process, including advance notice and multiple opportunities to be heard, despite delays caused by the pandemic.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed a summary judgment ruling that a buyer breached a contract by refusing to accept a custom machine due to delivery delays. The court held that the contract explicitly defined delivery dates as estimates subject to the seller's discretion, meaning the delays did not constitute a substantial breach.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a Catholic school, ruling that a single instance of racial slurring by a classmate and a teacher's insensitive lesson did not constitute actionable harassment under Title VI. The court held that the school's prompt investigation and remedial actions, including removing the teacher from chaperone duties and providing diversity training, defeated claims of deliberate indifference.
The Third Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment to prison medical providers, ruling that their extensive treatment of a prisoner did not constitute deliberate indifference. The court held that disagreements over medical judgment, such as the timing of a diagnosis or the choice of medication, are insufficient to prove an Eighth Amendment violation.