Ann Arbor wins appeal in lawsuit tied to flood
ANN ARBOR (AP) — The state Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of Ann Arbor and dismissed a lawsuit that tested the responsibility of local governments during severe flooding.
The court overturned a decision by a Washtenaw County judge, saying it could have created “unprecedented” and “crippling” liability on taxpayers.
The Ann Arbor News says Lawrence Fingerle sued, accusing Ann Arbor of failing to do enough to contain rain from a storm in 2010. His basement was flooded.
In a 2-1 decision, Judge Henry Saad says Ann Arbor is protected from Fingerle’s “radical” claim. He says no Michigan law requires local governments to prevent damage to private property caused by extreme weather.
But in dissent, Judge Jane Beckering says there’s evidence that Ann Arbor knew about defects in its sewer system.
High court takes up Cisco patent dispute
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is taking up a patent infringement dispute between computer networking giant Cisco Systems Inc. and rival Commil USA LLC.
The justices said recently they will consider a federal appeals court’s decision to throw out a $64 million jury verdict against Cisco for allegedly infringing Commil’s patent for wireless technology.
A divided U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled the jury should have considered evidence of Cisco’s good-faith belief that Commil’s patent was invalid.
Commil argues that the appeals court’s ruling undermines the Patent Act’s ability to deter infringement. But Cisco says its reasonable belief that the patent was invalid can be raised as a defense.
The case will be argued in March.
Pit bull owner drops suit over beagle killing
TEXAS CITY, Texas (AP) — A Texas woman whose four pit bulls entered a neighbor’s yard through a hole in the fence and killed their beagle has dropped a lawsuit against them seeking up to $1 million.
Emerald White claimed she was “seriously injured” as she tried to stop the Oct. 27 attack, and accused her neighbor, Tiffany Baker, of failing to securely confine and restrict their 10-year-old dog, Bailey, who died.
The Bakers then sought legal sanctions against White, saying her lawsuit was frivolous and noting her pit bulls were declared dangerous and vicious under a Texas City ordinance. Such a designation requires the posting of signs, fences and liability coverage.
The Houston Chronicle says the Bakers withdrew their sanctions request in return for White dropping her lawsuit.
Woman reports sandwich assault
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines woman has told police that her husband used a sandwich to assault her.
The Des Moines Register reports that Marvin Hill II, 21, was arrested last Tuesday. Polk County Jail records say Hill remained in custody on Wednesday on a charge of domestic abuse assault. Online court records don’t list an attorney for him.
Initially Hill told officers that his wife had assaulted him. He said she awakened him about 1 p.m., holding a McDonald’s McChicken sandwich. He later acknowledged that he became upset and threw the sandwich at his wife because he doesn’t like them.
Officers say Hill’s wife had mayonnaise on her shirt and face when they talked to her. She says Hill also smashed the bun into her face.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
