Torts
Court Allows Lawsuit Over Character.AI Conversations That Allegedly Caused 14-Year-Old's Suicide
In this post, I'll talk about the court's analysis tentatively rejecting the First Amendment defense, an analysis that I think is mistaken (whether or not some tort claims such as these should be allowed despite the First Amendment).
Tort Law vs. Privacy: Ride-Share Services May Have Duty to Prevent Anonymous Riders
So the Missouri Court of Appeals concludes, in allowing a negligence/design defect case to proceed against Lyft, based on a driver's having been murdered by riders who "fraudulently and anonymously request[ed]" a ride.
Supreme Court amicus briefs on gun crime in Mexico
Mexico's amici take shots at our brief in Smith and Wesson v. Mexico
The FBI Wrongly Raided This Family's Home. Now the Supreme Court Will Hear Their Case.
Curtrina Martin's petition attracted support from a bipartisan group of lawmakers.
Supreme Court Denies Certiorari in Climate Tort Suits
The justices are not persuaded to intervene in state-law climate litigation.
Are Punitive Damages Available in Publishers' Lawsuit Over Harassment Campaign by eBay Employees?
Fort the answer—or rather, answers—a court has to resolve a choice of law question.
Massive Campaign of Online Insults Can Lead to Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress Liability
The court also concluded defendant had libeled plaintiff, but the court held that even the nonlibelous expressions of opinion could lead to emotional distress liability. The total verdict of $6.8M.
Should Consumers Expect to Find Bones in "Boneless Wings"?
"Boneless wings" aren't wings, so does that mean they don't have to be boneless either? The Ohio Supreme Court weighs in.
Are State Law Climate Change Tort Suits Preempted by Federal Law?
A recent panel discussion on whether state and local suits against fossil fuel producers are preempted by federal law (and my arguments for why the answer is "no, they are not").
Can't Sue In-Laws for "Undermining" Marriage and Thus Tortiously Inducing Breach of Marriage Contract
This used to be possible under the old "alienation of affections" tort, but all but a handful of states have abolished it, and the tortious inducement of breach of contract tort can't fill that gap.
Netflix Wins Lawsuit Over 13 Reasons Why, on Statute of Limitations Grounds
The plaintiffs claimed that 15-year-old Bella Herndon committed suicide because of the film.
William Barr Responds on American Petroleum Institute v. Minnesota
The former Attorney General disagrees with me on whether state and local government climate change lawsuits belong in federal court.
Nirvana Nevermind Cover Baby's Child Pornography Lawsuit Isn't Barred by Statute of Limitations,
the Ninth Circuit rules, though expressly noting that "The question whether the Nevermind album cover meets the definition of child pornography is not at issue in this appeal."
Is Climate Change Going Back to the Supreme Court? (Minnesota Edition) [UPDATED]
The justices are considering whether to grant certiorari in Minnesota's lawsuit against energy companies.
Did Chuck Schumer Just Come Out Against Top-Down AI Licensing?
"Duty of care has worked in other areas," the senator said, "and it seems to fit decently well here in the AI model."
Journal of Free Speech Law: "Section 230 Won't Protect ChatGPT," by Prof. Matt Perault
Just published, in our symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Speech; more articles from the symposium coming in the next few days.
Journal of Free Speech Law: "Negligent AI Speech: Some Thoughts About Duty," by Prof. Jane Bambauer
Just published, in our symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Speech; more articles from the symposium coming in the next few days.
Colorado Ban on Any Law "Retrospective in Its Operation" Means Old Sex Assault Claims Can't Be Revived
The Colorado Supreme Court holds that the state constitution precludes revival of claims on which the statute of limitations has expired.
Armslist Not Liable for Hosting Gun Sale Ads That Led to Purchases by People Who Used the Guns Criminally
The Seventh Circuit so holds, applying Wisconsin tort law, and not reaching the 47 U.S.C. § 230 issue.
Mississippi Court Rejects Tort Claim Over Wife's Leaving Husband "Without Any Notice or Warning"
The court also concludes that there is no separate "verbal assault" tort in Mississippi, and that falsely telling spouse "I love you" generally isn't actionable fraud.
If Lawyer Forces Client to Have Sex, When Can Law Firm Be Liable for Negligent Supervision?
"An attorney-client relationship between two adults does not present the same inherent danger or foreseeability" as "a relationship between an adult and a child in a religious organization."
Oil Companies Fail to Convince the Eighth Circuit Climate Cases Should Be Removed to Federal Court (Updated)
The Eighth Circuit joins the First, Third, Fourth, Ninth, and Tenth in rejecting the arguments for removal, but Judge David Stras writes an interesting concurrence.
A Class Action Reveals the Horrifying Truth: 'Boneless Wings' Are Breast Meat!
Lawyers representing an allegedly duped Buffalo Wild Wings customer demand that the company disgorge its ill-gotten gains.
Amicus Brief as to § 230(c)(1) in Gonzalez v. Google
(Note that this case is about immunity when Internet platforms provide access to material, not the separate question about immunity when Internet platforms block access to material.)
The Yaliest of All Torts: Wrongful Interference with Clerkship Opportunities
The Yale Law School DinnerPartyGate lawsuit (Stubbs v. Gerken) can go forward on an interference with prospective business relationships claim, based in large part on the law school's alleged interference with plaintiffs' clerkship opportunities, though the other claims are dismissed.
Third Circuit Rejects Oil Company Efforts to Remove Climate Claims to Federal Court
Five Circuits have considered, and rejected, fossil fuel efforts to get state-law tort and nuisance claims removed to federal court. Will their luck change in the Supreme Court?
2d Cir.: Identifying Dissident for Saudi Government Isn't Negligent
Is negligently providing information to a dangerous person comparable to negligently entrusting a gun to a dangerous person (assuming a reasonable person would have realized the person was dangerous)?
Lawsuit Against Kevin Spacey for Allegedly Touching Minor's "Intimate Parts" Can Proceed
Under N.Y. law, the court holds, a jury could find that the alleged touching could qualify as touching of "intimate parts," based on its context.
