This Week's Most Notable Personal Injury Stories
Happy Friday! ?? Welcome to this week's edition of Enjuris Briefs. Our team of dedicated attorney editors has hand-selected the most notable—and notably amusing—personal injury stories from the past week.
Top Legal Stories
Sean Combs Arrested on Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Charges Amid Civil Lawsuits
Sean “Diddy” Combs, the man behind 90's hip hop hits like Mo Money Mo Problems and I'll Be Missing You, faces an escalating legal battle. This week, Combs was arrested by federal agents in New York and indicted on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Federal prosecutors allege that Combs ran a criminal enterprise, abusing women in drug-fueled "freak off" orgies, threatening their security if they refused to comply. Combs was denied bail due to concerns about his potential flight risk and history of substance abuse.
These criminal charges come on the heels of a slew of civil lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual misconduct dating back to the 1990s. High-profile accusers, including former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, claim Combs subjected them to years of abuse, trafficking, and violence. Combs, through his legal team, continues to fight the charges, maintaining his innocence as his business empire and public image unravel.
As if things weren't bad enough for Combs, his legal team made an embarrassing mistake in their bail letter to the judge. ?
Instagram Introduces Private Teen Accounts Amid Growing Concerns
In response to increasing concerns about the effects of social media on young users, Instagram will make teen accounts private by default in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. Starting this week, users under 18 who sign up for Instagram will automatically be placed into restricted accounts, with existing teen accounts set to migrate over the next 60 days. These new safety measures include limitations on private messaging, restricted access to "sensitive content," and notifications for extended screen time.
The change follows mounting legal pressure, with Meta, Instagram's parent company, facing lawsuits from families, including wrongful death and negligence claims, accusing Instagram of failing to protect children from harm.
Pennsylvania Rule Change Spurs Surge in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits in Philadelphia
A change in Pennsylvania's venue rules has led to a significant rise in medical malpractice lawsuits being filed in Philadelphia, even for incidents that occurred outside the city. The rule allows plaintiffs to file suits in Philadelphia if the defendant regularly does business there, regardless of where the alleged malpractice occurred. This reversal of a 20-year ban on "venue shopping" has impacted suburban health systems like Main Line Health, which is now facing 28 lawsuits in Philadelphia based on care provided elsewhere.
Philadelphia’s reputation for high-value verdicts—sometimes reaching eight figures—makes it an attractive venue for plaintiffs. Nearly half of the medical malpractice cases filed in the city in early 2023 involved incidents from outside Philadelphia, creating a surge that’s already impacting insurance markets and pressuring health systems to settle.
Read more here.
Families of Workers Killed in Baltimore Bridge Collapse to File Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The families of three construction workers killed in the Baltimore bridge collapse announced their intention to file a wrongful death lawsuit, while the ship's owner, Grace Ocean, and operator, Synergy Marine, are seeking to limit their liability to $43.7 million under an 1851 maritime law. This law, which was famously invoked by the owners of the Titanic, caps liability based on the post-accident value of the vessel and its cargo, allowing shipowners to potentially avoid massive payouts unless they were aware of the ship’s unseaworthy condition.
Drunk Driver Faces Charges After Killing NHL's Johnny Gaudreau and Brother; Wrongful Death Suit Expected
Sean Higgins, who struck and killed NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew while they were biking in New Jersey, was found to have a blood-alcohol level of .087. Facing multiple charges, including death by auto, Higgins could serve up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Given the circumstances, the Gaudreau family is expected to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
California Bar Offers Exam Score Boost to Beta Testers
The State Bar of California is proposing a controversial score boost of up to 40 points for beta testers who perform well on its new bar exam, set to debut in 2025. The move, aimed at saving money, has sparked concerns among legal educators and tutors about fairness and the rushed timeline for the new test’s development. Critics argue that the score boost could give an unfair advantage to beta testers over other examinees.
Amusing Legal Story
Chicago Lawyer Accused of Writing Fake 5-Star Reviews for Himself, Posting Disparaging Reviews of Rival
In an ethics case that’s raising eyebrows, Chicago attorney Aaron Korson is accused of posting dozens of fake five-star reviews for himself on platforms like Avvo and FindLaw. According to an Illinois ethics complaint, Korson allegedly wrote at least 28 glowing reviews praising himself as a “phenomenal” and “aggressive litigator,” while using various email addresses linked to family members and friends.
Korson also allegedly posted negative reviews targeting fellow attorney Mark Almanza, calling him “a bad attorney” (creative!). The complaint claims these reviews were payback for a critical email from Almanza about a case file. Korson, however, denies the allegations, saying the review email addresses belong to family members. As the case unfolds, Korson is defending himself against accusations of dishonesty, fraud, and professional misconduct.
Quote of the Week
“This was a DEFCON 1 legal scandal.” Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Don R. Willett
In a bizarre case out of Texas, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Erma Wilson, an aspiring nurse, cannot sue for damages over her 2001 cocaine conviction, despite shocking misconduct during her trial. The prosecutor, Weldon “Ralph” Petty Jr., was also working as a law clerk for the presiding judge—a situation described as “utterly bonkers.” Wilson sued under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act, claiming her 14th Amendment rights were violated, but the court ruled she cannot seek damages unless she first overturns her conviction.
Wilson only discovered the prosecutor's dual role in 2021, when a national news story revealed Petty's misconduct in another high-profile case. Despite the scandalous nature of the trial, the court upheld the ruling, leaving Wilson with limited legal recourse. Judge Don R. Willett dissented, calling the entire affair a “DEFCON 1 legal scandal.”
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