judge stephanie scoville
-
Colorado Supreme Court committee rejects civility proposal amid fears of weaponization by judges, ‘jerks’
—
by
The Colorado Supreme Court’s Civil Rules Committee overwhelmingly rejected a proposal last week to create an enforceable “civility code” for lawyers and legal paraprofessionals, which would allow judges to quickly impose corrective action without a formal complaint and investigation by attorney regulators. Although several committee members acknowledged poor behavior in the legal profession, there was…
-
Colorado Supreme Court to examine whether corporations can be liable for ‘felonious killing’
—
by
The Colorado Supreme Court recently announced that it will determine whether corporations can be liable for a “felonious killing,” meaning there is no limit to the damages they might pay for pain and suffering after causing a wrongful death. At least three of the court’s seven members must agree to take a case on appeal.…
-
Appeals court overturns $4 million jury award for elderly woman subject to Denver SWAT search
—
by
Colorado’s second-highest court last week overturned a jury’s roughly $4 million award to an elderly Denver woman who was subject to a SWAT raid on her home after police believed, incorrectly, a stolen iPhone would be found inside. In ordering a new civil trial, a three-judge Court of Appeals panel imposed a new burden on…
-
Appeals court emphasizes claims against officers must be ‘frivolous’ for unsuccessful plaintiffs to pay
—
by
Colorado’s second-highest court ruled on Thursday that a 2020 police accountability law only contemplates that unsuccessful plaintiffs will compensate officer defendants for their costs when the claims are frivolous. Lawmakers enacted Senate Bill 217 in the wake of protests that erupted over the May 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Although federal…
-
Appeals court says Xcel may be held liable for ‘felonious killing’ after Aurora home exploded
—
by
Colorado’s second-highest court ruled last week that corporations in general — and Xcel Energy specifically — may be held liable for “feloniously killing” a person, meaning the cap that exists in state law will not apply to a jury’s award. After a 2023 trial, Denver jurors awarded the children of Carol Ross $15 million in noneconomic…
-
Colorado Supreme Court weighs Xcel’s liability for man’s electrocution
—
by
The Colorado Supreme Court appeared hesitant on Tuesday to endorse the idea that the state’s utility regulator could use a rate-setting document to broadly immunize a company from liability against electrocutions. Francisco Cuevas, the owner of Outdoor Design Landscaping, was hanging Christmas lights at a Lakewood woman’s home in late 2017 when he received a debilitating…
-
Colorado Supreme Court to hear cases on Weld County redistricting, Xcel electrocution
—
by
The Colorado Supreme Court announced recently that it will hear appeals in multiple cases, including whether Weld County must follow state law when drawing new legislative districts and when utilities may be held liable for injuries caused by their power lines. At least three of the court’s seven members must agree to take up a…
-
Colorado Supreme Court to answer whether plaintiffs benefit from weekend, holiday extension in filing suit
—
by
If plaintiffs have three years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit, but the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, do they get until the next business day to submit their complaint? The Colorado Supreme Court announced on Monday it will review a September 2023 decision of the Court of Appeals…
-
Appeals court says tenants must strictly comply with law to sue landlords over hazardous conditions
—
by
Strict compliance with the law is necessary if tenants, who typically lack legal representation, wish to sue landlords for shoddy living conditions, Colorado’s second-highest court ruled last week. In a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals agreed a Denver man could not hold his landlord liable for an uninhabitable apartment because…
-
Xcel Energy not immune from man’s electrocution lawsuit, appeals court rules
—
by
Colorado’s second-highest court ruled last week that Xcel Energy is not immune from lawsuit after its power lines delivered a debilitating shock to a landscaping worker who was attempting to hang Christmas lights on a nearby tree. Xcel sought to avoid liability under two different mechanisms. First, the state’s High Voltage Safety Act requires parties working…
