Verdict . News

•Third Circuit affirmed dismissal of lawsuit against New Jersey officials over 10,000 nursing home deaths during COVID-19

3rd Circuit Upholds Dismissal of COVID Nursing Home Deaths Lawsuit

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's dismissal of a lawsuit against New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy and Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli over COVID-19 nursing home deaths. The estates of three deceased nursing home residents had sued the officials individually, claiming their policies led to approximately 10,000 elderly deaths during the pandemic.

•Court ruled Governor Murphy and Health Commissioner Persichilli protected by qualified immunity

•Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for State Farm in bankruptcy estate insurance dispute

Third Circuit Affirms State Farm Win in $5.29M Bankruptcy Estate Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company in a lawsuit brought by a bankruptcy trustee. The case stemmed from a 2015 car accident involving an excluded driver that resulted in a $5.29 million judgment.

•Case involved $5.29 million judgment from 2015 accident caused by excluded driver Kevin Parkhurst

•Third Circuit vacated district court summary judgment ruling due to unresolved federal law questions

3rd Circuit Vacates Cannabis Business Contract Ruling Over Federal Law

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court's summary judgment ruling in a cannabis industry dispute, ordering further review of whether the consulting contract violates federal law. The appellate court remanded the case involving Apical Biotek LLC and multiple Maitri entities back to the Western District of Pennsylvania.

•Case involves cannabis consulting contract between Apical Biotek and multiple Maitri cannabis companies

•Third Circuit affirmed money laundering conspiracy conviction of car dealer Christopher Lopez

Third Circuit Affirms Money Laundering Conviction for Car Dealer Lopez

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the conviction of Christopher Lopez, who operated a used car dealership and was found guilty of conspiracy to conduct financial transactions intended to conceal proceeds from illegal activity. The court rejected Lopez's arguments that evidence was insufficient and that the indictment was improperly amended.

•Court rejected arguments about insufficient evidence and improper indictment amendment

•Third Circuit affirmed denial of asylum for Salvadoran woman citing lack of evidence of specific MS-13 threats

3rd Circuit Denies Asylum for Salvadoran Woman Fleeing MS-13 Violence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the denial of asylum for Erika Urquilla-Pereira, a Salvadoran citizen who sought protection from MS-13 gang violence. The court acknowledged MS-13's dangerous presence in El Salvador but found insufficient evidence of specific threats against the petitioner.

•Court acknowledged MS-13's dangerous presence but required proof of individualized targeting

•Third Circuit affirmed district court dismissal of license revocation challenge

3rd Circuit Affirms Dismissal in New Jersey Insurance License Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of Zia Hassan Shaikh's lawsuit challenging the revocation of his New Jersey insurance and real estate licenses. The appeals court also upheld sanctions imposed on Shaikh for filing frivolous motions.

•Court upheld filing injunction against pro se plaintiff for frivolous motions

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

•Third Circuit affirmed 62-month sentence for felon-in-possession conviction

Third Circuit Affirms Firearms Sentence for Philadelphia Felon

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the 62-month sentence of Shiheem Amos, who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court ruled the sentence was reasonable in a non-precedential decision filed Jan. 21.

•Amos's sentence was enhanced based on prior aggravated assault conviction

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

•Third Circuit affirmed dismissal of lawsuit by Salem-Keizer Volcanoes owner against MLB minority team owner Marvin Goldklang

Third Circuit Affirms Dismissal in Minor League Baseball Dispute

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a district court ruling dismissing claims by Sports Enterprises, Inc., owner of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, against Marvin Goldklang over the team's lost San Francisco Giants affiliation in 2020.

•Court held that plaintiff failed to establish Goldklang owed any fiduciary duty despite alleged conflict of interest in minor league negotiations

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

•Third Circuit denied petition for review of Guatemalan citizen's asylum case

3rd Circuit Denies Guatemalan Woman's Asylum Appeal in Gang Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit denied a petition for review from Consuelo de Maria Mejia Romero, a Guatemalan citizen who sought asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture after claiming gang threats at her beauty salon. The court upheld the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision to deny all her applications.

•Petitioner's testimony contradicted written statements about gang threats