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

Bloody Pig Masks and Live Insects Fuel $700M Harassment Case Against eBay

A $700 million lawsuit alleging an intense corporate harassment campaign against bloggers Ina and David Steiner is advancing to trial, following a recent ruling by Judge Patti Saris that allows the Steiners to seek punitive damages on specific claims. Known for their critical reporting on eBay’s business practices, the Steiners claim they became targets of a disturbing plot by eBay executives and security personnel aiming to silence their blog, EcommerceBytes, and uncover the identity of an anonymous commenter.

The harassment included sending disturbing packages—such as live insects, bloody pig masks, and funeral wreaths—to the Steiners’ home in Natick, Massachusetts, along with threatening messages. But the intimidation didn’t stop at mailed items; it reportedly escalated to in-person stalking, surveillance, and even an attempted break-in.

Named defendants include several eBay executives and security staff. Each faces claims for defamation, trespass, false imprisonment, and civil conspiracy. Seven of the defendants have pleaded guilty to criminal charges, while eBay settled with the DOJ in a deferred prosecution agreement, paying a $3 million fine.

The Steiners seek $12 million in economic damages, alleging that eBay’s actions drove away advertisers and harmed their business. Including punitive damages, their total claim reaches $700 million.

Read the full opinion here.?

Mississippi Man Dies After Being Buried in Hot Asphalt

A Mississippi man, Darrell Sheriff, 41, died in a tragic accident Monday while working on a dump truck at AJ Materials in Jackson. Police report that Sheriff was repairing a hydraulic line when the truck’s tailgate opened unexpectedly, burying him in hot asphalt. Officers arriving at the scene described it as “horrific,” finding Sheriff trapped under the asphalt.

While workplace accidents involving dump trucks aren’t uncommon—the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports about 800 related deaths from 2011 to 2020—Mississippi’s workers' compensation laws may leave Sheriff’s family with limited support. Survivors in Mississippi can expect a modest burial allowance and 35% of his average weekly wage for his spouse, capped at 450 weeks, less than the two-thirds wage offered in many other states.

Shasta County Settles Over Beloved Family Goat’s Seizure and Slaughter

In a case that stirred hearts nationwide, Shasta County has agreed to pay $300,000 to Jessica Long and her family after sheriff’s deputies seized and slaughtered her 9-year-old daughter’s pet goat, Cedar, in 2022. Cedar was taken by officials after the family attempted to withdraw him from a county fair auction, despite fair rules strictly prohibiting such withdrawals. Long’s daughter, unable to part with him, brought him home, and the family offered to cover any fair-related losses, but officials enforced the rule, insisting Cedar remain in the auction.

The family sued, alleging their rights were violated in Cedar’s confiscation and eventual slaughter, and they now hope the settlement will prevent similar future cases. “Animals are not property; they’re family,” said Vanessa Shakib, the family’s attorney.

Board-Certified in Insurance Law? Florida Attorneys May Soon Add New Expertise to Their Repertoires

Next year, Florida could join a select group of states certifying lawyers as specialists in insurance coverage law. If approved, the certification would distinguish attorneys with a deep understanding of insurance law.?

The certification, which requires seven years of practice (five in insurance matters) and a rigorous exam, is expected to improve clarity for consumers and support ethical practice, especially following legislative reforms aimed at curbing abusive litigation. Plaintiffs’ attorney Michael Cassel emphasized that certification will “allow people to know who really takes a passion and interest” in insurance law, a field that demands extensive knowledge to navigate effectively.

No Bar Exam Needed? Utah Proposes New Pathway to Practice Law

Utah could soon join the ranks of states offering alternative licensing routes for law graduates. In a forward-thinking proposal, the Utah Supreme Court announced a plan allowing graduates of ABA-accredited law schools to bypass the bar exam, provided they complete 240 hours of supervised practice. The initiative gives law grads the option to gain hands-on experience without the stress of test-day performance.

The proposal, which aims to broaden opportunities rather than replace the bar exam entirely, is open for public comment until December 19.?

Hospital Faces $5 Million Verdict After Patient's Suicide

An Illinois appellate court upheld a $5 million jury verdict against Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation in a medical malpractice case following the suicide of Philip Carrano. Carrano, suffering from severe depression, took his life soon after being discharged from Advocate’s Good Samaritan Hospital to Concord Place, a facility lacking mental health resources.

Carrano’s widow, Bozena Binkowski, argued that Advocate’s discharge plan ignored his high risk of self-harm, leaving him without a safety plan or coping support. Expert witness Dr. Douglas Jacobs testified that Carrano, who had recently undergone electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), needed more comprehensive aftercare. The hospital’s defense presented opposing testimony, asserting that discharge protocols were followed.

The jury awarded $5 million in damages for Carrano’s emotional suffering, and Advocate appealed, claiming the verdict contradicted evidence and was impacted by procedural errors. The appellate court, however, upheld the verdict, emphasizing the critical need for careful discharge planning, especially for patients with severe mental health issues.

Judge Dismisses Civil Suit Against Minnesota Trooper in Ricky Cobb Shooting

A federal judge has dismissed a civil lawsuit filed by the family of Ricky Cobb II against Minnesota state trooper Ryan Londregan, who shot and killed Cobb during a 2023 traffic stop. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel ruled that Londregan’s actions did not violate the law, finding that he did not act unreasonably when he fired his weapon as Cobb’s vehicle began to move forward with another trooper partly inside. The suit against another trooper, Brett Seide, remains pending.

The incident occurred on July 31, 2023, when troopers pulled Cobb over on Interstate 94 for a broken taillight and discovered he was wanted for violating a domestic no-contact order. When Cobb attempted to drive away with a trooper partially inside the vehicle, Londregan fired two shots, striking Cobb in the chest. The Hennepin County Attorney initially charged Londregan with murder but later dropped the charges, citing new evidence.

The case has stirred strong emotions in Minneapolis, a city still grappling with tensions following George Floyd’s 2020 death. Cobb’s family, represented by attorney Bakari Sellers, is considering appealing the ruling or amending their complaint, aiming to continue their fight for what they see as justice for Cobb.

Amusing Legal Story

Homeowners Turn Halloween Decor into Legal Protest

Another Halloween has come and gone, bringing with it another wave of niche (read: nerdy) law-themed costumes from legal professionals—think “the ghost of Chevron’s defense.” But why stop at costumes? For this week’s amusing legal story, we present the decorated house above. The homeowners appear to have used Halloween as an opportunity to showcase their displeasure with some recent Supreme Court decisions. We have to admit, the giant operational gavel is pretty impressive.

Quote of the Week

“Cocaine has a positive effect on one’s cognitive abilities.” - Pennsylvania lawyer Nathaniel Edmond Strasser

Pennsylvania lawyer Nathaniel Edmond Strasser has been suspended for a year and a day by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court after he allegedly represented a client at a November 2022 preliminary hearing while under the influence of cocaine. During disciplinary proceedings, Strasser argued that cocaine enhanced his performance, citing “heightened mental awareness.” A drug recognition expert testified that Strasser exhibited "severe focus" but seemed to be “focusing on a hundred things and couldn’t quite figure out what was important.”

Strasser initially represented himself in the disciplinary case, claiming he wasn’t in a 12-step program because he didn’t consider himself addicted. Later, he hired a lawyer, acknowledged his addiction, and sought substance abuse probation, though the disciplinary board declined to reopen the case. The board noted Strasser’s lack of remorse, failure to acknowledge the harm caused to his client and the profession, and his inability to take responsibility. A mitigating factor was Strasser’s previously clean disciplinary record since he began practicing law in 2007.

About Enjuris

We connect individuals affected by injuries with attorneys, empowering survivors and fostering attorney growth. Join our community, trusted by over two million annual visitors, by becoming an attorney contributor or partner.

Visit Enjuris to learn more.?