An Illinois state appeals court is imposing sanctions against a woman whose attorney filed an appeal that displayed a "total lack of respect for the appellate process."

According to news reports, Elena Chernyakova sued Northwestern Memorial Hospital, McGaw Medical Center and Dr. Vinaya Puppala, alleging the doctor accessed her medical chart and posted her photo on social media without consent. After the case was dismissed against the hospital and medical center, a $250,000 settlement against the physician was negotiated and the records sealed.

Chernyakova then appealed the summary judgment against the hospital and medical center. Both organizations sought to have the settlement agreement unsealed, and the court agreed.

Following the unsealing of the settlement transcripts, it came to light that the plaintiff had given the physician, who she knew socially, permission to take her picture.

"We find that the contents of the unsealed settlement transcript, as well as other materials contained in the supplemental record before us, lead to the inescapable conclusion that this appeal is frivolous and is being pursued in bad faith," Justice Daniel Pierce wrote for the panel.

"The record before this court reflects that (Chernyakova) agreed to tell the world that her claims of misconduct by Puppala did not happen, and that she has told the licensing authority in Georgia just that," Pierce wrote. "This court will not abide the duplicity of plaintiff’s conduct."

—Source: cookcountyrecord.com

A 10-year-old boy in Michigan was accused of assault after throwing a ball at the head of another boy during a schoolyard dodgeball game.

According to news reports, the boy “sustained facial issue damage to his face. He had a black eye and a bruised nose.” The mother of the boy who was hit by the ball said she sought legal action because this was not the first time her son had been targeted.

In a Facebook fundraiser seeking support for legal fees, the mother of the accused explained that her son threw the ball at the boy, causing a concussion, and that her son had been suspended from school and then informed of the assault charges.

Prosecutors investigating the case have since decided to drop the charges. “While the charge in this case is certainly sustainable, I have instructed my staff to dismiss this case today,” Maria Miller, assistant prosecuting attorney at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office said in a press release.

—Source: cbsnews.com

A Texas man is suing Dallas Cowboys' running back Ezekiel Elliot and the organization after being involved in a car accident with the football player, claiming the Cowboys conspired with the city of Frisco police to "cover up the severity of the the accident" so Elliott wouldn't have to miss an upcoming playoff game.

Ronnie Hill alleges in his lawsuit that Elliott "barreled through a red light" on his way to practice causing him physical injuries and damages in excess of $33,000 to his BMW 750. Hill is suing Elliott and the Cowboys for $20 million.

According to legal documents, Hill claims Elliott admitted fault and the Frisco police also concluded it was Elliott's fault, saying, “At the scene of the crash, Elliott admitted fault, and the Frisco Police also concluded that the crash was Elliott’s fault. Elliott and running back’s coach Gary Brown who was on the scene told Hill not to worry about anything, go get checked out and ‘we will take care of everything.’ If anyone had actually reported the impact of the accident and had Elliott been examined he would have most likely been placed in concussion protocol and out for the Dallas Cowboys upcoming playoff game. Upon information and belief, the Dallas Cowboys conspired with the Frisco Police Department to cover up the severity of the accident to assure that Elliott’s health would not be placed in question before their playoff game.”

The city of Frisco responded to the allegation by saying it was false.

According to news reports, unless the Cowboys owned the car or Elliott was driving the car as part of his employment duties or the Cowboys in some other way caused or contributed to the accident and ensuing injuries, it will be difficult if not impossible to impose liability on the team.

—Source: profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

The Missouri Supreme Court has order a St. Louis attorney to "personally deliver a detailed letter of apology" to a circuit court judge after the attorney filed a "frivolous" lawsuit.

John F. Washington has been placed on a one year probation and ordered to apologize to St. Louis City Circuit Judge Michael F. Stelzer after it was determined Washington "engaged in serious professional misconduct by filing a frivolous lawsuit" against two judges "without any basis in law or fact."  

"(Washington)'s misconduct interfered with and caused harm to the administration of justice by disrupting the flow of criminal cases in the St. Louis City Circuit Court," the brief said.

The basis of the lawsuit goes back to 2016 when Washington filed suit charging Stelzer, two St. Louis attorneys and his ex-wife of conspiracy with respect to the 2007 dissolution of his marriage.

Washington's suit was dismissed in 2017 on grounds that judges are "completely and absolutely immune from civil lawsuits based on claims of misconduct during the performance of their judicial duties," the brief said.

According to news reports, Stelzer testified before a hearing committee that Washington's lawsuit made it "very difficult, if not impossible" for him to hear any cases pending before him, according to the brief.

—Source: stlrecord.com