St. Joseph County Jail kept 2 inmates past their sentences
A software problem kept at least two inmates in the St. Joseph County Jail longer than their sentences required in 2019, leading to a $20,000 settlement for one.
Settlement
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More states agree to settlement plan for opioid-maker Purdue Pharma
More than a dozen states have dropped their longstanding objections to OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s reorganization plan, edging the company closer to resolving its bankruptcy case and transforming itself into a new entity that helps combat the U.S. opioid epidemic through its own profits.
Despite erroneous admission of mediation evidence, high court affirms stock award for ex-wife
Despite the erroneous admission of confidential evidence prepared in anticipation of a divorce mediation, the Indiana Supreme Court has upheld the award of half of a man’s stock to his now-ex-wife due to his breach of the divorce agreement. The high court ruled in the case that documents produced in anticipation of mediation are covered under settlement negotiation confidentiality requirements.
FHCCI reaches $500K settlement over fair housing and ADA violations
The entities who designed, built, owned and managed 14 apartment complexes across central and northern Indiana have agreed to make improvements to the residential properties and pay more than $500,000 to settle a complaint filed by the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana over alleged violations of federal accessibility requirements.
Cities opting out of Indiana’s suits against opioid makers
Several Indiana cities have opted out of the state’s pending lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors, reasoning that they will likely see more cash from their own litigation filed in response to the nation’s opioid epidemic.
COA: Greenwood man who ‘disparaged’ trial judge must pay for settlement negotiations
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed an order requiring a Johnson County man to pay his public adjuster for negotiating a settlement on his damaged home. The court found appellate review of his issues were waived, also noting with distaste his words about the trial judge in his case.
California to pay $2M church legal fees over virus closures
The state of California has agreed not to impose greater coronavirus restrictions on church gatherings than it does on retail establishments in a pair of settlements that provide more than $2 million in fees to lawyers who challenged the rules as a violation of religious freedom.
Former exec loses appeal to keep his stock in $20M filtration firm
The case involved whether a co-founder of Anderson-based Hy-Pro Corp. owned stock in the business when it was sold in 2017.
Fired Cathedral teacher’s suit against archdiocese over same-sex marriage dismissed
In a one-page order, Marion Superior Special Judge Lance Hamner did what a previous special judge and the Indiana Supreme Court had not done – dismiss the wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a gay teacher against the archdiocese of Indianapolis.
House seat numbers can’t be released before next week
The numbers used for deciding how many congressional seats each state gets can’t be released before Monday, according to an agreement that settles litigation between the U.S. Census Bureau and a coalition of local governments and civil rights groups.
Justices publicly reprimand Greenfield, Indianapolis lawyers
The Indiana Supreme Court has handed down public reprimands against two Indianapolis-area attorneys, including an action against a partner at a major law firm.
Justices to hear in-person arguments next week
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear arguments in person next week in three cases, including a dispute over a missed hepatitis diagnosis and allegations of a breached settlement agreement.
COA upholds admission of medical bills in $0 pain-and-suffering verdict
Evidentiary rulings that led to a $0 jury verdict for a man who was injured in a car crash were upheld Wednesday by the Indiana Court of Appeals. The case drew participation from the Indiana plaintiff and defense bars.
Judge limits evidence, refuses to move trial in Floyd death
A judge on Friday denied a defense request to delay or move the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death after the announcement of a $27 million settlement for Floyd’s family raised concern about a tainted jury.
Fired atheist teacher loses appeal alleging school broke confidentiality
A middle-school German teacher who settled a lawsuit claiming he was fired because he was an atheist failed to prove Middlebury Community Schools violated confidentiality terms of the settlement, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
Ex-wife loses appeal in property, contempt dispute
A woman who sought to hold her ex-husband in contempt for failing to sell or refinance their family home has lost her appeal of the contempt denial, with the Indiana Court of Appeals noting the woman repeatedly “thwarted” the man’s attempts to comply with their dissolution agreement.
COA splits on whether email was contract between apartment owner, vendor
A settlement offer received via email between a former apartment owner and a service vendor was an enforceable contract, a majority of the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed. A dissenting judge, however, would reverse the order requiring the parties to be bound by the terms of a March 2016 email exchange.
Insurer must pay malpractice settlement, 7th Circuit affirms
Judgment against an insurer in the most recent decision involving a nearly 20-year-old medical malpractice case was affirmed Tuesday by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Developer may water ski but not build dock on lakefront property, COA rules
A developer who sold his property in the lakefront subdivision he developed cannot now build a dock on that lake, even though he has lifetime rights to ski there, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed in a Tuesday opinion.
Agreement could free LOVE sculptor Robert Indiana’s estate from lawsuit
A New York-based copyright holder that sued the late Hoosier artist Robert Indiana a day before his death has reached a settlement with his estate and the foundation set up to transform the artist’s home into museum.