Verdict . News

•Athlete Taliyah Brooks sued USA Track & Field after heat-related injuries prevented Olympic team qualification

Dec 17, 2025•4 min read

Indiana Supreme Court

Indiana Supreme Court Rules on Olympic Trials Heat Injury Case

The Indiana Supreme Court ruled December 17 in a case involving athlete Taliyah Brooks, who suffered heat-related injuries during the 2020 Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. The court's decision clarifies application of the final judgment rule in civil litigation.

•Indiana Supreme Court ruled on final judgment rule application after Brooks' motion to amend complaint was denied

Supreme Court of South Dakota

Dec 17, 2025•4 min read

South Dakota High Court Rules in Sturgis Rally Motorcycle Crash Case

The South Dakota Supreme Court issued an opinion in *Arrowsmith v. Odle*, a case arising from a 2017 motorcycle collision during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The case involved procedural issues regarding case dismissal for inactivity and insurance settlement negotiations.

•Supreme Court ruled in motorcycle collision case from 2017 Sturgis Rally

•Case involved procedural issues with multiple dismissal notices for inactivity

Supreme Court of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Supreme Court Hears Challenge to State Education Policies

The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Dec. 16 addressed a petition from religious leaders and multiple families challenging state education policies. Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall and other plaintiffs sought extraordinary relief against State Superintendent Lindel Fields and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

•Oklahoma Supreme Court heard petition from religious leaders and families challenging state education policies

•Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall led coalition seeking extraordinary relief against State Superintendent Lindel Fields

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Massachusetts SJC Rules on Liquor License Collateral Restrictions

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court addressed whether contractual provisions prohibiting the use of liquor licenses as loan collateral violate public policy. The case involves a commercial lease dispute between N&M Trust VII and Burn, LLC over alcoholic beverage licensing rights.

•Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court addressed whether contractual provisions prohibiting liquor license collateralization violate public policy

•Case involves commercial lease dispute between N&M Trust VII and Burn, LLC over alcoholic beverage licensing arrangements

New York Court of Appeals

NY Court Upholds Denial of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits to Carmody

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of pandemic unemployment assistance to Mike H. Carmody, ruling that the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board correctly applied the 'total unemployment' standard under state labor law. The court also upheld penalties against Carmody for allegedly making false statements to obtain benefits.

•Court of Appeals affirmed denial of pandemic unemployment benefits to Mike H. Carmody

•Board correctly applied 'total unemployment' standard under Labor Law sections 522 and 591(1)

New York Court of Appeals

NY High Court: DMV Can Use Police Reports Despite Officer No-Shows

The New York Court of Appeals ruled that the Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend a driver's license based on written police reports even when officers fail to appear after being subpoenaed. The court held that existing enforcement procedures provide adequate due process protection.

•New York's highest court ruled DMV can suspend licenses based on police reports even when officers fail to appear at hearings

•Motorists must use existing subpoena enforcement procedures before claiming due process violations

New York Court of Appeals

NY Court Rules Religious Institution Can Fire Teacher Over Political Blog

The New York Court of Appeals ruled that Westchester Reform Temple lawfully terminated teacher Jessie Sander for co-authoring a blog post critical of Israel and Zionism. The court applied the ministerial exception, which bars employment discrimination claims against religious institutions involving ministers.

•New York Court of Appeals ruled teacher's termination was protected by ministerial exception

•Court declined to decide whether political blogging constitutes protected 'recreational activities' under state labor law

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Reviews State v. Bolden Hit-and-Run Case

The Connecticut Supreme Court has issued an opinion in State v. Christopher Bolden, a criminal case involving evasion of responsibility and evidence tampering charges. The defendant was convicted after striking and killing a pedestrian with his SUV, fleeing the scene, and abandoning the vehicle.

•Connecticut Supreme Court issued opinion in State v. Christopher Bolden involving fatal hit-and-run charges

•Defendant convicted of evasion of responsibility and tampering with physical evidence after striking and killing pedestrian

•Supreme Court of Guam declined to rule on ineffective assistance of counsel claims due to incomplete record

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam Supreme Court Declines to Rule on Ineffective Counsel Claims

The Supreme Court of Guam declined to address ineffective assistance of counsel claims on direct appeal in People of Guam v. Robby Narruhn, instructing the defendant to pursue the matter through other legal channels. Narruhn was convicted of burglary and third-degree criminal sexual conduct following a jury trial.

•Court expressed concerns about trial counsel's 'general inaction' and questionable trial strategy