Verdict . News

•Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for VA in workplace harassment case brought by former criminal investigator

6th Circuit Affirms VA Summary Judgment in Workplace Harassment Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a lower court's summary judgment in favor of the Department of Veterans Affairs in a case brought by former criminal investigator Dena Leath, who alleged workplace harassment, discrimination, and constructive discharge.

•Three internal VA investigations found workplace tension but concluded it fell short of actionable harassment

•Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Firelands Regional Medical Center in age discrimination case

6th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment in Nurse's Age Bias Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of Firelands Regional Medical Center in an age discrimination lawsuit filed by nurse practitioner Laura Obergefell. Obergefell claimed she was terminated due to her age rather than legitimate pandemic-related layoffs.

•Laura Obergefell, 58, claimed age bias in her 2020 termination during COVID-19 pandemic layoffs

•Sixth Circuit affirmed Hartford Fire Insurance's denial of COVID-19 business interruption claims

6th Circuit Upholds Hartford's Denial of COVID-19 Business Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling that favored Hartford Fire Insurance Company in denying pandemic-related business interruption claims from retailer Walters & Mason Retail Inc. The January 27, 2026 decision adds to federal precedent on COVID-19 insurance disputes.

•Court rejected retailer's argument for multi-state choice-of-law analysis covering all 22 affected states

•Sixth Circuit affirmed 36-month above-guidelines sentence for supervised release violation

6th Circuit Affirms Above-Guidelines Sentence for Supervised Release Violation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a 36-month prison sentence for Emilio Garcia, who violated his supervised release by stealing a car while intoxicated in Toledo, Ohio. The court upheld the district court's above-guidelines sentencing decision.

•Garcia stole an unlocked car with a 4-year-old inside while intoxicated in Toledo

•Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sued five major pharmacy benefit managers including Express Scripts, Cigna Group, and Evernorth Health

6th Circuit Issues Decision in Ohio's Lawsuit Against Major PBMs

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has issued a decision in a significant case brought by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost against major pharmacy benefit managers including Express Scripts, Cigna Group, and Evernorth Health. The case represents a major legal challenge to the practices of pharmaceutical middlemen that manage prescription drug benefits.

•The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision on January 27, 2026, after oral arguments in December 2025

•Sixth Circuit published decision in zoning dispute between developers and City of Worthington

6th Circuit Rules in Lifestyle Communities v. Worthington Zoning Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a decision January 27 in Lifestyle Communities, Ltd. v. City of Worthington, Ohio, resolving a municipal zoning dispute between residential developers and the city. The case was recommended for publication, indicating its precedential value for future land use litigation.

•Case involved Lifestyle Communities and Worthington Campus LLC challenging municipal authority

•Sixth Circuit affirmed 24-month prison sentence for supervised release violations

6th Circuit Upholds 24-Month Sentence for Supervised Release Violations

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a 24-month prison sentence for Devonte Cortez Welch, who violated conditions of his supervised release by testing positive for drugs and selling fentanyl. The ruling marks the second time the case reached the appellate level.

•Welch violated release terms by testing positive for drugs and selling fentanyl

•Sixth Circuit upheld denial of cancellation of removal despite U.S. citizen children including daughter with Down syndrome

6th Circuit Denies Father's Deportation Relief Despite Disabled Child

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld the denial of Gabriel Alvarado's application for cancellation of removal, despite his having four U.S. citizen children including a daughter with Down syndrome and other serious medical conditions.

•Court applied strict 'exceptional and extremely unusual hardship' standard under federal immigration law

•Sixth Circuit denied Carlos Orta Martinez's petition challenging denial of cancellation of removal and motion to reopen

6th Circuit Denies Immigration Relief for Mexican Father of US Citizens

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied Carlos Orta Martinez's petition for review, affirming the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision to reject his application for cancellation of removal and motion to reopen. The January 27, 2026 ruling featured a partial dissent, highlighting disagreement over hardship standards in immigration cases.

•Court affirmed BIA's finding that Martinez failed to prove exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to his U.S. citizen children