Dep’t of Education announces student-loan forgiveness of disabled borrowers

The Department of Education announced yesterday: "Over 323,000 borrowers who have a total and permanent disability (TPD) will receive more than $5.8 billion in automatic student loan discharges due to a new regulation announced today by the U.S. Department of Education. The change will apply to borrowers who are identified through an existing data match […]

Zimmerman article on appeals courts hearing class actions

Adam S. Zimmerman of Loyola of Los Angeles has written The Class Appeal, 89 University of Chicago Law Review (Forthcoming 2022). Here's the abstract: For a wide variety of claims against the government, the federal courthouse doors are closed to all but those brought by powerful, organized interests. This is because hundreds of laws—colloquially known […]

Covid-related tort claims against nursing homes

Law prof Betsy Grey Against Immunizing Nursing Homes about when nursing homes should be liable for covid-related tort claims. Here's the abstract: Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities account for approximately one third of the over 500,000 Covid-19 deaths in the United States. Facing liability from that widespread harm, the facilities have sought immunity […]

Amazon adopts new policy for injuries caused by products of third-party sellers

Consumer Affairs reports: "Starting September 1, Amazon will pay customers who suffer injury or damages caused by products sold by its third-party sellers. It will not admit liability and will limit claims to $1,000. The policy is intended to head off lawsuits that consumers have filed over the years that seek to hold the multi-billion […]

American Prospect: lawyer offered $2K to get consumer client to sign already-written op-ed supporting arbitration

Here, by Amelia Pollard. Excerpt: Conservative pro-business groups have hit upon a new tactic to protect its members’ interests: outright purchasing of grassroots support. Late last week, David Chami, an Arizona attorney who specializes in consumer protection, received an email from Drew Johnson, who identified himself as working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Johnson […]

New article on the right of access to court records

Jordan Elias as written 'More Than Tangential': When Does the Public Have a Right to Access Judicial Records? Here is the abstract: Public accountability requires open proceedings and access to documents filed with the courts. The strong policy favoring access to judicial records creates a presumption against sealing documents without a compelling reason. The Ninth Circuit […]