Verdict . News

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court decided insurance dispute over evidence preservation requirements

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules on Insurance Evidence Preservation Case

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a decision in a complex insurance dispute between Erie Insurance Exchange and United Services Automobile Association involving evidence preservation requirements after a vehicle fire. The case arose from USAA's failure to preserve a vehicle that Erie considered critical evidence.

•Erie Insurance Exchange sought reimbursement after USAA failed to preserve vehicle evidence

•Eight consolidated appeals involving Chester Water Authority Trust reached Pennsylvania's highest court

PA Supreme Court Reviews Complex Chester Water Authority Trust Dispute

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments in May 2025 on eight consolidated appeals involving the Chester Water Authority Trust. The complex dispute has traveled through multiple court levels since 2019, involving trust administration and governance issues.

•Commonwealth Court previously reversed Delaware County Orphans' Division rulings from April 2020

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court rules districts may provide different transportation modes to charter vs. traditional public school students

PA Supreme Court Rules Districts May Use Different Transportation for Charter Schools

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that school districts can provide different modes of free transportation to charter school students than to traditional public school students under Section 1726-A(a) of the Charter School Law. The court affirmed lower court rulings in the case involving Propel Charter Schools and Wilkinsburg School District.

•Decision affirms lower court rulings in case involving Propel Charter Schools and Wilkinsburg School District

•Court establishes material distinction between cause of death (immediate physiological processes) and manner of death (surrounding circumstances)

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Defines Death Classifications in Criminal Cases

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a definitive ruling in Commonwealth v. Fitzpatrick on January 21, 2026, establishing clear legal distinctions between 'cause of death' and 'manner of death' in criminal proceedings. The decision provides critical guidance for courts handling medical examiner testimony in murder cases.

•Ruling provides clear framework for medical examiner testimony in criminal cases

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld disciplinary action against Judge Mark B. Cohen for partisan political social media posts

PA Supreme Court Sets New Standard for Judges' Social Media Speech

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld disciplinary action against Philadelphia County Judge Mark B. Cohen for partisan political commentary on social media. The January 2026 ruling establishes that judges must limit their First Amendment rights while serving on the bench.

•Court ruled judges must 'park' some First Amendment rights while serving, regaining them upon retirement

West Virginia Supreme Court

West Virginia Supreme Court Reviews Workers' Comp Surgery Denial

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals is reviewing a workers' compensation case where a city employee seeks coverage for shoulder replacement surgery after a workplace fall. Frank Mayer appeals lower court decisions that denied authorization for shoulder surgery following his May 2023 injury while working for the City of Clarksburg.

•Frank Mayer seeks workers' compensation coverage for shoulder replacement surgery after May 24, 2023 workplace fall

•Multiple levels of workers' compensation authorities denied authorization for right reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

Jan 21, 2026•5 min read

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld tax sale despite property selling for only 18% of appraised value

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Upholds Tax Sale at 18% of Property Value

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a tax sale was valid despite the property selling for only 18% of its appraised fair market value. The decision in *Ostapowicz v. Tioga County Tax Claim Bureau* establishes important precedent for when courts can overturn tax sales based on inadequate sale prices.

•Martin Ostapowicz lost 52.77-acre property worth $465,000 that sold for $83,000

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court limits public employee remedies against unions to arbitration orders, not monetary damages

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Limits Union Damage Claims in Labor Case

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that public employees cannot seek monetary damages from unions for breach of fair representation, limiting remedies to orders compelling arbitration. The decision in Gustafson v. AFSCME reverses a Commonwealth Court ruling and restricts legal options for workers alleging discriminatory union conduct.

•Decision in Gustafson v. AFSCME reverses Commonwealth Court ruling on union duty of fair representation

•Ohio Supreme Court affirmed denial of death row inmate's motion for new trial due to procedural failures

Ohio Supreme Court

Ohio Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Untimely New Trial Motion

The Ohio Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's denial of Joseph McAlpin's motion for a new trial in a death penalty case. The court held that McAlpin's failure to obtain leave before filing an untimely motion under Criminal Rule 33 was sufficient grounds for denial.

•Defendant failed to obtain required leave before filing untimely Criminal Rule 33 motion