In a much awaited opinion, the Michigan Supreme Court has held that a claimant may recover "nonecconomic damages" such as "pain and suffering" and "emotional distress" damages and excess "economic damages" in actions against the government under the "motor vehicle" exception to governmental immunity. Two lower appellate court cases came to opposite conclusions about whether [...]
Category: Michigan Supreme Court Opinions
Surveillance Recordings Created by Private Entity “Public Records” Subject to FOIA Disclosure Where Law Enforcement Takes Possession of Such Records in Pending Investigation
In Amberg v. City of Dearborn, released on December 16, 2014, the Michigan Supreme Court has held that video surveillance created by a private entity but handed over to law enforcement officials for a pending misdemeanor investigation were public records subject to disclosure under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The video surveillance was created [...]
Michigan Supreme Court Reverses Court of Appeals Decision Forcing Workers Compensation Agencies to Remain Open at Certain Locations
The Michigan Supreme Court has reversed the Court of Appeals decision that held the Director of the Michigan Administrative Hearing System and the Director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs were required to maintain local offices for litigation of Workers' Compensation Agency hearings. Â Read the opinion here: Younkin v. Zimmer In September 2012, [...]
Special Appellate Counsel for Emergency Appeals in State and Federal Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
It is the eve of trial.  The trial court judge, bent on forcing you into an unsavory settlement with opposing counsel, has granted opposing counsel’s motion in limine to exclude your proposed evidence from the jury’s consideration.  This is a key part of your client’s case and without it your client may be facing 100 [...]
Michigan Supreme Court Concludes Judgment Entered on Motion is a “Verdict” Sufficient to Invoke Case Evaluation Awards and Costs Provision of Michigan Court Rules
Yesterday, in Acorn Investment Co v. Michigan Basic Property Insurance, the Michigan Supreme Court issued an opinion clarifying a point that has been in contention for quite some time regarding the meaning of the term "verdict" under Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 2.403(O), for purposes of determining when a trial court may issue an award of case [...]