Verdict . News

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

5d ago•5 min read

10th Circuit Reviews Hospital's Challenge to OSHA Safety Citation

Cedar Springs Hospital has petitioned the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn an Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission decision regarding workplace safety violations. The case centers on the hospital's duty to protect employees from violent patients in healthcare settings.

•Cedar Springs Hospital challenges OSHA Review Commission decision on workplace violence safety measures

•Case involves hospital's duty to protect employees from violent patients in healthcare settings

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals

5d ago•4 min read

DC Circuit Affirms EB-5 Regional Centers Must Pay New Annual Fees

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that more than 600 existing EB-5 regional centers must pay new annual monitoring and fraud reporting fees mandated by Congress in 2022. The court affirmed a district court decision rejecting the centers' challenge to the fee requirements.

•D.C. Circuit affirmed that over 600 existing EB-5 regional centers must pay new annual monitoring and fraud reporting fees

•Congress overhauled the EB-5 program in 2022 following widespread reports of abuse

•Nevada Supreme Court affirmed dismissal of Gold Standard Ventures' challenge to State Engineer's water rights decision

State Court

6d ago•4 min read

Nevada Supreme Court

Nevada Supreme Court Affirms State Engineer Water Rights Decision

The Nevada Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's dismissal of Gold Standard Ventures' challenge to a Nevada State Engineer's water rights determination. The mining company, seeking water rights in the Dixie Creek-Tenmile Creek basin for mining operations, failed to overturn the regulatory decision on appeal.

•Mining company sought water rights in Dixie Creek-Tenmile Creek basin for planned mining operation

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit: District Courts Must Rule on ALJ Decisions Before Remand

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that federal district courts cannot remand Social Security disability cases to the Social Security Administration without first explicitly affirming, modifying, or reversing the Administrative Law Judge's decision. The court vacated a lower court's remand order in *Pamela J. Follen v. Commissioner of Social Security*.

•Sixth Circuit ruled district courts must explicitly affirm, modify, or reverse ALJ decisions before remanding Social Security cases

•Court vacated district court's remand order for failing to make required statutory determination

State Court

New York Court of Appeals

NY Court of Appeals Reverses Zoning Variance Decision in Lake Luzerne

The New York Court of Appeals reversed an Appellate Division ruling and reinstated a lower court decision that upheld a zoning board's denial of an area variance application. The state's highest court found that the Town of Lake Luzerne Zoning Board of Appeals acted rationally in denying Lisa Williams' variance request.

•Court of Appeals reversed Appellate Division and reinstated zoning board's denial of area variance

•Zoning board's decision deemed rational and not arbitrary or capricious under Town Law standards

State Court

•Montana Supreme Court ruled on water commissioner's authority to distribute Beaver Creek water under 2018 agreement

Montana Supreme Court

Montana Supreme Court Rules on Beaver Creek Water Rights Distribution

The Montana Supreme Court has ruled in a water rights dispute involving ranchers over the distribution of Beaver Creek water, addressing whether a water commissioner was required to follow a 2018 agreement in administering century-old water rights.

•Dispute involves multiple ranch operations dating back to 1882 water rights decree

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Upholds SEC's Indefinite Suspension of Security Specialist

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit rejected Stefani Gibson's petition challenging her indefinite suspension from her role as Personnel Security Specialist at the Securities and Exchange Commission. The court upheld a Merit Systems Protection Board decision that affirmed the SEC's disciplinary action against Gibson in a nonprecedential ruling filed February 6, 2026.

•Federal Circuit Court upheld Merit Systems Protection Board's decision affirming SEC's indefinite suspension of Personnel Security Specialist Stefani Gibson

•Case involved Gibson's inability to maintain Top Secret security clearance required for her position at the SEC

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Care One Healthcare Network Appeals NLRB Decision to Second Circuit

A network of Connecticut healthcare facilities operated by Care One, LLC has appealed a National Labor Relations Board decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The case involves multiple healthcare centers across Connecticut and challenges actions by NLRB members and an administrative law judge.

•Care One, LLC and multiple Connecticut healthcare facilities appealed an NLRB decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals

•The case involves nine healthcare centers across Connecticut operated under the Care One network

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fourth Circuit Upholds Accreditation Loss for Online University

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that upheld an accreditation agency's decision to withdraw accreditation from an online university. The February 5, 2026 decision reinforces judicial deference to approved accreditation agencies and arbitrators in higher education disputes.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed accreditation withdrawal from online university

•Court applied 'doubly deferential' standard when arbitrator affirmed agency decision