Litigation
FBMJ Attorneys Featured Presenters at MSHRM Event
FBMJ attorneys, Clyde M. Metzger and Mitchell C. Jackson, presented "Avoiding (Digital) Skeletons in the (Electronic) Closet" to the Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management (MSHRM) on September 16, 2020, as part of its Webinar series.The presentation covered current trends and legal issues surrounding the preservation of electronically-stored information ("ESI"), including the importance of
Attorney Anthony Pignotti Authors Article on COVID-19 Executive and Administrative Orders and Their Impact on the Legal System for MDTC Quarterly
FBMJ attorney Anthony Pignotti authored “Summary and Analysis of Executive and Administrative Orders Issued in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Impact on the Legal System” for the September 2020 issue of Michigan Defense Quarterly Volume 37, No. 1 - 2020.The article addresses how COVID-19-related executive and administrative orders in Michigan have impacted civil litigation deadline
FBMJ Attorneys Win Change for Toxic Tort Causation Standards in Michigan
FBMJ Attorneys recently prevailed in convincing the Michigan Court of Appeals to require more stringent causation proofs from plaintiffs in toxic tort cases. The case will have far reaching consequences for all toxic tort cases, as the opinion brought causation analysis in Michigan toxic tort cases in-line with the causation analysis adopted by many other jurisdictions. This will provide all entit
Oakland County Violated Constitution by Keeping Tax Sale Proceeds
County governments that sell properties at auction to satisfy unpaid tax debts commit an unconstitutional taking when they keep the surplus proceeds of those sales beyond the amount of taxes owed. Relying in part on law from 800 years ago, the Michigan Supreme Court issued a ruling on July 17, 2020 that property owners’ interests in the surplus proceeds of any such sales remain even after the au
Gov. Whitmer Extends Remote Notarization Provisions Through August 31, 2020
Remote notarizations will continue to be permitted through August 31, 2020 under a new order Gov. Whitmer issued this week. Executive Order 2020-158 extended a previous order encouraging the use of electronic signatures and remote witnessing of signatures due to COVID-19 and suspending in-person notarization and signing requirements.NOTARIZATIONAs with the prior order, a notary is not required to
Attorney Anthony D. Pignotti Featured Presenter for Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management (MSHRM)
FBMJ attorney, Anthony D. Pignotti, presented “Use and Disclosure of Electronically Stored Information in Healthcare” to the Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management (MSHRM) on July 15, 2020, as part of its Summer Webinar Series. The presentation covered the potential types of ESI generated and maintained in healthcare systems, the legal rules governing ESI, the legal implications of E
Carlos Escurel Joins Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip, PLLC as an Associate Principal
Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip, PLLC, is pleased to announce that Carlos Escurel has joined the firm as an Associate Principal.Escurel brings extensive experience in the area of medical malpractice to the firm, having defended healthcare professionals and institutions for over 17 years. His primary focus is handling complex medical malpractice claims and premises liability claims. He also has ex
Michigan State of Emergency Extends Into July: Here’s What Litigants Need to Know
Many of the more than 160 Executive Orders and Administrative Orders Gov. Whitmer and the Michigan Supreme Court have issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic impact the legal system, the litigants, and their insurers. Below is a brief review of how these orders change important civil litigation deadlines ranging from the statute of limitations, motion practice and trials. These changes will co
Away With Solowy? Supreme Court Takes Up Appeal that Could Lead to Expansion of 6-Month Discovery Rule
By: Christina J. Green, Nicole C. Joseph-Windecker and Mitchell C. JacksonHow long does a plaintiff have to file a medical malpractice case? Well, that could be changing soon, as the Michigan Supreme Court recently took up an appeal that may give plaintiffs more time to file suit. This appeal could impact the healthcare community and its insurers for decades to come due to its potential to expa
Federal Courts Issue Rulings on 1st Amendment Rights During COVID-19
Most state governments have responded to COVID-19 with executive orders and laws that restrict the public from certain activities, including religious assembly. Such limitations on activities protected by the First Amendment have resulted in a flurry of lawsuits – at least one that reached the Supreme Court – alleging First and Fourteenth Amendment violations that raise a critical question: Ho