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SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES Federal Case Summaries Mid-Century Ins. Co. v. Werley United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit No. 23-1822 Decided: September 5, 2024 Court addresses validity of UIM household exclusion. Background A 15-year-old, Levi Werley, was injured while riding an uninsured motorized dirt bike. The driver who struck him had insufficient insurance… read more

SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES Pennsylvania Case Summaries Spinelli v. Fallon Pennsylvania Superior Court Nos. 892 EDA 2023, 893 EDA 2023 Decided: August 22, 2024 Superior Court reverses the Trial Court’s grant of Preliminary Objections because it erred in ruling that the lis pendens doctrine applied. Background The dispute stemmed from an automobile accident that rendered Plaintiff… read more

SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES Maryland Case Summaries In the Matter of the Petition of Md. Bio Energy LLC Maryland Appellate No. 251, Sept. Term, 2023 Decided: September 3, 2024 Maryland reaffirms “universally accepted” and “commonsensical principles” of contract law, requiring mutual assent and the intent to be bound as prerequisites to contract formation. Background In 2011,… read more

SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES Washington, DC Case Summary Leach v. One Parking 555, LLC District of Columbia Court of Appeals No. 22-CV-0497 Decided: August 1, 2024 Expert opinions must articulate, with specificity, how the defendant violated or breached the standard of care. Broad generalities are insufficient. Background On July 25 2018, Plaintiff suffered a fall on… read more

SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES Virginia Case Summary The Episcopal Diocese of S. Va. v. Marshall Virginia Court of Appeals No. 1955-23-2 Decided: July 16, 2024 Defamation claims which are inextricably intertwined with a religious institution’s governance are barred by first amendment protections. Background This matter centers around statements made by a Bishop about a priest in… read more