In Pace v. Jessica Edel-Harrelson, et al, issued on February 24, 2015, the Michigan Court of Appeals addressed a Whistleblowers Protection Act claim. There are two remarkable points to the case. The first is that the COA panel (Shapiro, Gleicher and Roynayne-Krause) holds that reporting a suspected future violation of a regulation, law or rule is sufficient to trigger [...]
Tag: Supreme Court
Court of Appeals Issues Ruling On Independent Contractor Case
The Michigan Court of Appeals issued its opinion in a case I briefed (92675_Moore_Appellant's_Brief_313440.12.26.2013.1838) and argued in the Court of Appeals last summer, ruling consistent with the Supreme Court's recent disposition of workers compensation insurance coverage for subcontractors holding themselves out to be employers, while claiming to be employees. The facts involved a workers compensation claimant [...]
The “Common Law” As Defined by the “Department of Justice”
This is old news to some. But, I had some thoughts on this as I ran across it looking for a contact in the Department of Justice while I was in the process of writing a brief in the United States Supreme Court. Apparently, the Department of Justice (at least in the Principality of Delaware) has a [...]
Michigan High Court to Address Scope of “Gross Negligence” Exception to Governmental Immunity
In an order issued on December 23, 2014, the Michigan Supreme Court has granted oral argument to consider the state's application in this wrongful death case. (Estate of Beals.Order). The plaintiff is the estate of an individual who was a student at a state technical college that provided vocational and technical training to individuals with [...]
Court Holds “Bodily Injury” Damages Include “Pain and Suffering” and “Non-economic Damages” In “Motor Vehicle” Accident Claims Against Government
I previously wrote a short post about this case, but since I authored an amicus curiae brief for Michigan Townships Association, and the counties of Oakland, Wayne and Macomb, I have engaged in a bit more analysis. The Supreme Court released its long awaited opinion in Hannay v. MDOT and Hunter v. Sisco, on December 19. The underlying facts [...]