Articles

Opinions Jan. 5, 2022

The following 7th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion was posted after IL deadline Tuesday:
Brenda L. Wilder v. Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security
21-1607
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division. Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen.
Civil. Affirms the Northern Indiana District Court’s order upholding the denial of Social Security disability benefits to Brenda Wilder. Finds the administrative law judge did not err in not considering whether Wilder met or equaled Listing 11.17(a), or when it didn’t request the opinion of a medical expert. Also finds the ALJ’s decision was supported by substantial evidence.

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Opinions Dec. 28, 2021

Indiana Court of Appeals

Kim M. Lloyd v. Lawrence Kuznar and Trustees of Purdue University
21A-CT-1338
Civil tort. Affirms the Allen Superior Court’s denial of Kim Lloyd’s Trial Rule 60(B) motion to the extent it sought to set aside the dismissal of her complaint against Lawrence Kuznar and Trustees of Purdue University. Finds Lloyd cannot revive her claims because she stopped participating in the litigation and failed to keep the trial court apprised of her address, which resulted in their dismissal. Finds the trial court erred in denying Lloyd’s Trial Rule 60(B) motion with respect to the default judgment entered against her on Kuznar’s counterclaim and reverses on that portion. Remands for further proceedings.

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Opinions Dec. 23, 2021

The following opinions were posted after IL deadline on Wednesday:

7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Brooke Persinger v. Southwest Credit Systems, L.P.
21-1037
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division. Judge Richard L. Young.
Civil. Affirms the district court’s grant of summary judgment to Southwest Credit Systems L.P. in a dispute with Brooke Persinger. Finds Southwest’s compliance procedures were reasonable and thus met the Fair Credit Reporting Act requirements. Also finds the evidence shows that Southwest had a reasonable basis for relying on its procedures and that summary judgment for Southwest was appropriate because no reasonable juror could conclude that the inquiry into Persinger’s propensity‐to‐pay score resulted in actual damages.

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Appellate court allows enhanced sentence to stand

An Indianapolis man who described his offenses as “being in a truck with drugs and a gun” was unable to get his sentence reduced after the Court of Appeals of Indiana rejected his argument that his six-year enhancement for being a habitual offender was an impermissible double enhancement.

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Opinions Dec. 17, 2021

Court of Appeals of Indiana
In the Matter of the Power of Attorney of Darlene DeHart, Jeff DeHart v. Darlene DeHart
21A-GM-1043
Guardianship, miscellaneous. Affirms the Johnson Superior Court’s denial of a petition by Jeff DeHart to release an accounting of his mother, Darlene’s, finances. Finds the order is in the best interests of Darlene. Also finds the trial court erred in having Jeff bear the burden of proof instead of Darlene, but holds it harmless. Finally, finds Darlene was competent in appointing her daughter, Christine, as attorney-in-fact, and she is entitled to privacy in the management of her finances.

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Opinions Dec. 14, 2021

Indiana Court of Appeals
In re the Termination of the Parent-Child Relationship of: AJ.D., J.A., and A.D. (Minor Children), and A.A. (Mother) v. Indiana Department of Child Services (mem. dec.)
21A-JT-1394
Juvenile termination of parental rights. Affirms the termination of mother A.A.’s parental rights to her children, J.D., J.A. and A.D. Finds ample evidence to support the findings and conclusion that there is a reasonable probability that the reasons for the children’s removal from A.A. and continued placement outside her home will not be remedied. Also finds the Madison Circuit Court did not clearly err in terminating A.A.’s parental rights.

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