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Court throws out Chiquita terror payment claims
Lawyer World News |
2014/07/25 12:52
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A divided federal appeals court on Thursday threw out claims potentially worth billions of dollars against produce giant Chiquita Brands International made by relatives of thousands of Colombians killed during years of bloody civil war.
A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that federal courts have no jurisdiction over the Colombian claims. The lawsuits accused Chiquita of assisting in the killings by paying $1.7 million to a violent right-wing paramilitary group known as the AUC, the Spanish acronym for United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia.
Chiquita, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, formerly operated large banana plantations in Colombia through its Banadex subsidiary. Chiquita insists it was the victim of extortion and was forced to pay the AUC or face violence directed at its employees and assets in Colombia.
The majority cited a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling known as Kiobel vs. Royal Dutch Petroleum that imposed limits on attempts by foreigners to use U.S. courts to seek damages against corporations for human rights abuses abroad. Chiquita had insisted that ruling meant the Colombians' lawsuit had to be tossed out.
"We are gratified that the U.S. Court of Appeals has now agreed with us and the claims have been dismissed," said Chiquita spokesman Ed Loyd in an email statement. "The decision reinforces what Chiquita has maintained from the beginning — that Chiquita is not responsible for the tragic violence that has plagued Colombia." |
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Court kills New Jersey bid to block ocean blasting
Trending Legal Issues |
2014/07/16 12:29
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A federal appeals court on Monday cleared the path for seismic testing off the coast of New Jersey that will blast the floor of the Atlantic Ocean with loud noises as part of a climate change research project.
The 3rd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals rejected New Jersey's request to block the testing off Long Beach Island, which aims to use acoustic research to examine sediment dating back tens of millions of years. The barrier island stretches along the central New Jersey coast for about 18 miles.
Environmentalists, fishing groups and some elected officials oppose the work, saying it could harm or kill marine life including dolphins, turtles and whales. But the groups planning the research say they will do everything possible to minimize disruptions to marine life, including stopping the project when animals are seen nearby.
"Needless to say, we are extremely disappointed with this ruling and the fact that the federal government is pushing it at this time of year," said Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, which had sought a court order to block the testing. |
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Houston Texas Personal Injury Lawyers - Salazar Firm
Top Attorney News |
2014/07/16 12:27
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Accidents are always occurring, and this means that personal injuries of all kinds, including automobile accidents, bicycle accidents, defective product accidents, medical malpractice, pedestrian accidents, slip and falls, and wrongful death, are happening every day. When victims or the families of victims contact the Salazar Law Firm, they are extremely traumatized and looking for someone who will bring justice to the situation. Often they or their loved one’s have been hurt because of another’s negligence or carelessness. We aggressively pursue compensation from these responsible parties to get our clients their deserved compensation.
You can find pages on our website that provide details on the following Personal Injury subcategories:
18-Wheeler Accidents
Auto Accidents & Insurance Claims
Catastrophic Injury
Class Actions
Motorcycle Accidents
Product Liability
Wrongful Death
Personal injuries are extremely stressful for victims and their families. Both victims with major and minor injuries are going to have many questions when trying to get compensation for their accident. Our attorneys can guide you during this difficult time and hold the right parties responsible for damages done to you. Call today to set up a free consultation with our Houston personal injury team.
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Apple wins EU court case on store design trademark
Trending Legal Issues |
2014/07/11 15:07
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The European Union's highest court says Apple's characteristic retail store layout may be registered as a trademark.
The Court of Justice on Thursday overturned a decision by German patent authorities which last year rejected an application to grant copyright protection to Apple's store design — parallel lines of big tables with electronic gadgets spread out on them under a high ceiling.
The Luxembourg-based EU Court said a design pattern like Apple's "may constitute a trademark provided that it is capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking" from others.
The case will go back for a final decision to Germany's highest patent court which had sought the EU judges' advice.
Apple Inc. successfully registered its store layout as a trademark in the United States in 2010. |
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Drummond Firm - Las Vegas Accident & Injury Attorneys
Top Attorney News |
2014/07/11 15:06
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A personal injury can impact the rest of your life. As an injury victim, you should meet with an attorney interested in protecting your rights before talking with an insurance company. Insurace companies have attorneys to protect them and you should have one too. When you hire the Drummond & Nelson Firm, you're hiring attorneys you can trust who will communicate with you, keep you updated on case status, and protect you. We have an extensive network of medical professionals ready to help if you require medical treatment or analysis.
When it comes to fees, we charge fair and reasonable fees. We will explain in detail how we are paid and how you will be paid before we take your case. We work on a contingecy fee basis on personal injury cases which means no up-front fees. We are paid out of the amount of your recovery.
We represent individuals in the following types of personal injury cases:
Automobile and car accidents
Truck accidents
Boating accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Train crashes
Railroad accidents
Aircraft accidents
Head injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Children's injuries
Bad faith insurance claims
Wrongfully denied insurance benefits
Injuries caused by drunk drivers
Construction accidents
Industrial accidents
Roadway defects
Workmen’s compensation claims
Slip and falls
Exposure to toxic or hazardous materials
Prescription drug related injuries
Injuries caused by defective products
If you're interested in speaking with an attorney who will protect you, contact the
Las Vegas Accident & Injury Attorneys at the Drummond & Nelson Firm today! |
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