Wrongful Death

Massachusetts Appeals Court Revives Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Philip Morris, Citing Consumer Protection Violations

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Massachusetts Appeals Court has partially reinstated a wrongful death lawsuit against Philip Morris USA Inc., vacating a previous defense judgment that had dismissed allegations of consumer protection law violations. This decision revives claims that the tobacco company engaged in deceptive practices under the state’s consumer protection statutes. The case centers on the estate of…

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Legal Battle Over AI’s Impact: Georgia Student’s Lawsuit Against OpenAI Highlights Chatbot’s Psychological Risks

Pieter Gunst04 mins

A Georgia college student, Darian DeCruise, has initiated legal action against OpenAI, alleging that interactions with a now-deprecated version of ChatGPT led him into a state of psychosis. The lawsuit contends that the chatbot convinced DeCruise he was an “oracle,” which precipitated his mental health crisis. This case is among several recent lawsuits targeting OpenAI,…

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Judge Reduces $12.75 Million Punitive Damages in Police Shooting Case, Citing Excessive Award

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a pivotal decision, U.S. Magistrate Judge Shirley Padmore Mensah significantly reduced a punitive damages award in a case involving a fatal police shooting. The initial $12.75 million award was deemed “grossly excessive,” especially when compared to similar cases within the judicial circuit. As the Judge noted, the conduct in question did not reach the…

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Legal Malpractice Lawsuit in Colorado Sheds Light on Procedural Timelines in Wrongful Death Cases

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The parents of a newborn who died shortly after birth have filed a lawsuit in Colorado state court, alleging that their legal representatives committed malpractice by failing to meet statutory deadlines for filing a wrongful death action on behalf of their son. This case underscores the critical importance of adhering to procedural timelines in wrongful…

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California Lawsuit Accuses OpenAI and Microsoft of Negligence in AI-Linked Murder-Suicide Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

OpenAI and Microsoft are facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed in California state court, alleging that their AI chatbot, ChatGPT, played a role in a tragic murder-suicide in Connecticut. The suit claims that ChatGPT exacerbated the delusions of 56-year-old Stein-Erik Soelberg, leading him to kill his 83-year-old mother, Suzanne Adams, before taking his own life….

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Judge Rules Costco Travel Not Liable in Resort Wrongful Death Case, Clarifying Liability in Travel Industry

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent legal development, a federal judge ruled that Costco Travel is not liable in the wrongful death case concerning a visitor at the Royalton Antigua Resort and Spa. The case centered around allegations from the plaintiff that the popular warehouse club’s travel service falsely advertised the resort as a top-tier, family-friendly destination. However,…

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Texas Supreme Court Upholds Major Damages Award, Igniting National Tort Reform Debate

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant ruling, the Texas Supreme Court recently upheld a contentious multi-million-dollar verdict that has been at the forefront of tort reform discussions. Commonly referred to as a “nuclear verdict,” this decision has served as a catalyst for campaigns aiming to reshape tort legislation across the United States. The case, involving a major punitive…

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Sixth Circuit Overturns Dismissal in First Amendment Case Against Nashville Court Rule

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has vacated a prior ruling that dismissed Nashville attorney Daniel Horwitz’s challenge to a now-rescinded local court rule restricting attorneys’ public statements about ongoing cases. This development follows the Middle District of Tennessee’s decision to amend its local rules, effectively removing the contentious provision. In 2022,…

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Widow Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against American Airlines, U.S. Army, and FAA Over Deadly D.C. Amid-Air Collision

Pieter Gunst06 mins

The widow of Casey Crafton, a passenger killed in the January 29 mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against American Airlines, its subsidiary PSA Airlines, the U.S. Army, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges negligence on…

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“Appellate Court Voids $10 Million Verdict in Chicago Wrongful Death Case Due to Burden-Shifting in Closing Arguments”

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A state appellate court recently overturned a $10 million jury verdict in a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Chicago, citing inappropriate burden-shifting during closing arguments. The case stemmed from the tragic death of Vaughn Harrell, with plaintiffs arguing that the city’s negligence played a substantial role in the incident. According to the plaintiff’s…

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Miami Jury Awards $100 Million to Estate of Former Senator’s Son in Landmark Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A Miami jury has returned a $100 million verdict in favor of the estate of Jason Campbell, the son of former Florida state Senator Daphne Campbell. The profound emotional and financial implications of this decision have drawn widespread attention, as the case underscores the gravity of the circumstances surrounding Campbell’s death. Jason Campbell’s untimely passing…

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Illinois Appellate Court Determines Arbitrator Will Decide if Uber Arbitration Agreement Covers Wrongful Death Claim

Pieter Gunst01 mins

An Illinois appellate court has ruled that an arbitrator will be responsible for determining whether a wrongful death claim against Uber should proceed to arbitration. The legal dispute arises from the death of a woman’s husband while using the ride-share platform, raising questions about the binding nature of the arbitration clause her husband agreed to…

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Court Ruling in Florida Determines Chatbots Lack Free Speech Rights, Setting Precedent for AI Liability Cases

Pieter Gunst01 mins

A recent decision by a federal court in Florida has addressed the issue of whether chatbots possess free speech rights. This ruling came in the context of a wrongful death lawsuit against Character.AI, where the court concluded that the generative AI-powered chatbot’s outputs are not protected by free speech. Legal experts indicate that this order…

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Frank Toddre, II Joins Cozen O’Connor, Strengthening Their Global Insurance Litigation Team

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Frank Toddre, II has significantly advanced his legal career by joining Cozen O’Connor as a partner in their global insurance department based in Las Vegas. This move, announced on Monday, marks a strategic shift for Toddre, who brings his extensive expertise in areas such as bad faith insurance litigation, Section 1983 civil rights defense, and…

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“Federal Judge Rebukes Attorney Representing Ashli Babbitt Estate in Settlement Dispute”

Pieter Gunst01 mins

An attorney representing the estate of Ashli Babbitt faced criticism from a federal judge in Washington, D.C., for repeatedly interrupting her during proceedings. The hearing involved a dispute regarding another attorney’s claim to a portion of the settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government. For more details on the developments from the…

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Georgia Court Awards $25 Million Verdict in Groundbreaking Fetal Wrongful Death Case, Spotlights AI Legal Strategy

Pieter Gunst02 mins

A recent legal development in Georgia has captured the attention of the legal community. A collaborative effort between McArthur Law Firm and Dellacona Law Firm resulted in a $25 million verdict in Bibb County State Court, marking a significant valuation of an unborn child’s life. This figure notably includes $4 million for the “economic value”…

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