LawyersUSA

‘Jilted bride’ wins $150,000 for breach of contract

A Georgia man who got cold feet at the prospect of marriage has been ordered to pay a $150,000 jury verdict for his change of heart.

The plaintiff left an $81,000-a-year job to move to her fiance's home, but two months later he left a note in the bathroom saying he changed his mind.

Texas fraternity to pay $4.2M in binge-drinking death

The family of a Texas student who died of alcohol poisoning after a fraternity drinking party has reached a $4.2 million settlement with the fraternity.

The key to the case was the plaintiffs’ team ability to track down electronic evidence the fraternity tried to destroy to avoid blame.

‘Loss of chance’ damages gaining acceptance

A recent decision by Massachusetts’ highest court permitting medical malpractice plaintiffs to sue for “loss of chance” of survival is being hailed by plaintiffs’ lawyers.

• How other courts have ruled.

A majority of courts to consider “loss of chance” damages have accepted the doctrine.

Plaintiff’s personal life inadmissible

Attacking a plaintiff’s credibility in a products liability case with evidence of his extramarital affairs is impermissible because it is unduly prejudicial, the California Court of Appeal has ruled in reversing a defense verdict.

The plaintiff sued a tire manufacturer.

Using social networks to investigate your case

An increasing number of attorneys, both criminal and civil, are using information gleaned from social networking sites to undercut the testimony of opposing witnesses.

These sites can also be a huge boon for attorneys who are trying to locate a missing witness or heir.

Plaintiffs’ lawyers decry delays in HRT litigation

Hormone-replacement therapy litigation has stalled while judges await a U.S. Supreme Court ruling next term in a key pharmaceutical product liability case.

Trials in Texas, Florida and Alabama have been postponed while judges await the Court's ruling in Wyeth v. Levine.