Pennsylvania Case Commentaries

PAPPAS v. ASBEL: Defining ERISA Preemption in Medical Malpractice within HMOs

Date: Apr 4, 2001

PAPPAS v. ASBEL: Defining ERISA Preemption in Medical Malpractice within HMOs Introduction In the landmark case of Basil Pappas and Theodora Pappas, H/W v. David S. Asbel, D.O., Pennsylvania Hospital...

Ex Post Facto Challenges in Parole Denials: Insights from Coady v. Vaughn

Date: Mar 23, 2001

Ex Post Facto Challenges in Parole Denials: Insights from Coady v. Vaughn 1. Introduction Coady v. Vaughn, 564 Pa. 604 (2001), is a seminal case adjudicated by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania's...

Homicide by Vehicle and DUI Offenses Do Not Merge for Sentencing Purposes: Commonwealth v. Collins

Date: Jan 18, 2001

Homicide by Vehicle and DUI Offenses Do Not Merge for Sentencing Purposes: Commonwealth v. Collins Introduction In Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Casey S. Collins, 564 Pa. 144 (2001), the Supreme...

Reversing Employer Status: Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Landmark Ruling on Independent Contractors in Workers' Compensation

Date: Nov 28, 2000

Reversing Employer Status: Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Landmark Ruling on Independent Contractors in Workers' Compensation Introduction The case of Universal Am-Can, Ltd. and National Union/AIAC v....

Illegality of Detention Invalidates Consent to Search: Freeman v. Commonwealth

Date: Aug 25, 2000

Illegality of Detention Invalidates Consent to Search: Freeman v. Commonwealth Introduction In Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Diana Ericker Freeman (563 Pa. 47, 757 A.2d 884, 2000), the Supreme...

Duty of Care of Therapists Limited to Patients in Alleged Parental Sexual Abuse Cases: Althaus v. Cohen

Date: Aug 23, 2000

Duty of Care of Therapists Limited to Patients in Alleged Parental Sexual Abuse Cases: Althaus v. Cohen Introduction Althaus v. Cohen, 562 Pa. 547 (2000) is a landmark case decided by the Supreme...

Affirmation of Death Sentence in Commonwealth v. Spotz: Establishing Rigorous Evidentiary Standards

Date: Aug 23, 2000

Affirmation of Death Sentence in Commonwealth v. Spotz: Establishing Rigorous Evidentiary Standards Introduction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Mark Newton Spotz (562 Pa. 498) is a landmark decision...

Appellees v. Appellants: Reversing the Superior Court on Trial Court Discretion in Mistrial Motions

Date: Aug 22, 2000

Appellees v. Appellants: Reversing the Superior Court on Trial Court Discretion in Mistrial Motions Introduction The case of Robert D. Harman and Dorothy E. Harman on behalf of Christopher Harman, a...

Affirmation of Juvenile Act Amendments: Transfer Provisions and Burden of Proof in Commonwealth v. Cotto

Date: Jun 21, 2000

Affirmation of Juvenile Act’s Transfer Provisions and Burden of Proof in Commonwealth v. Cotto Introduction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Abraham Martinez Cotto (562 Pa. 32), decided on June 20,...

Anticipatory Search Warrants and Their Constitutionality Under Article I, § 8: Insights from Commonwealth v. Glass

Date: Jun 21, 2000

Anticipatory Search Warrants and Their Constitutionality Under Article I, § 8: Insights from Commonwealth v. Glass Introduction The landmark case of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Michael Glass,...

Strict Adherence to PCRA Time Limits: Ineffective Assistance Claims Do Not Extend Deadlines in COMMONWEALTH v. GAMBOA-TAYLOR

Date: Jun 20, 2000

Strict Adherence to PCRA Time Limits: Ineffective Assistance Claims Do Not Extend Deadlines in COMMONWEALTH v. GAMBOA-TAYLOR Introduction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Paul Gamboa-Taylor, 562 Pa....

Annenberg v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Establishing Severability in Commerce Clause Violations

Date: Jun 2, 2000

Annenberg v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Establishing Severability in Commerce Clause Violations Introduction The case of Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania addresses a...

Strict Adherence to PCRA Timeliness Requirements Upheld: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Jamal Murray

Date: May 20, 2000

Strict Adherence to PCRA Timeliness Requirements Upheld: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Jamal Murray Introduction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Jamal Murray, 562 Pa. 1, is a pivotal case decided...

Affirmation of the Plain Feel Doctrine under Article I, Section 8

Date: May 20, 2000

Affirmation of the Plain Feel Doctrine under Article I, Section 8 Introduction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Abdul M. Zhahir (561 Pa. 545, 2000) is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of...

Clarification of Real Estate Exception to Sovereign Immunity: Absence of Guardrail Does Not Constitute Dangerous Condition

Date: May 19, 2000

Clarification of Real Estate Exception to Sovereign Immunity: Absence of Guardrail Does Not Constitute Dangerous Condition Introduction The case of Stacey L. Dean v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,...

Presence Requirement Affirmed in Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress Claims: Insights from Taylor v. Einstein Medical Center

Date: May 18, 2000

Presence Requirement Affirmed in Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress Claims: Insights from Taylor v. Einstein Medical Center Introduction Taylor v. Einstein Medical Center, decided by the...

Reaffirmation of Discretionary Sentencing Powers in Parole Violations: Commonwealth v. Sierra

Date: May 16, 2000

Reaffirmation of Discretionary Sentencing Powers in Parole Violations: Commonwealth v. Sierra Introduction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Emily Sierra is a pivotal case adjudicated by the Superior...

Public Policy Exception to At-Will Employment in Pennsylvania: Limited Scope of Federal OSHA Protections

Date: Apr 19, 2000

Public Policy Exception to At-Will Employment in Pennsylvania: Limited Scope of Federal OSHA Protections Introduction The case of Mary McLaughlin v. Gastrointestinal Specialists, Inc. (561 Pa. 307)...

Non-Applicability of Timeliness Exceptions for Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claims: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Alan Pursell

Date: Apr 18, 2000

Non-Applicability of Timeliness Exceptions for Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claims: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Alan Pursell Introduction The case of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Alan...

Authorized Nunc Pro Tunc Appeals: Establishing Precedent in Property Assessment Disputes

Date: Feb 24, 2000

Authorized Nunc Pro Tunc Appeals: Establishing Precedent in Property Assessment Disputes Introduction In the landmark case of Union Electric Corporation, Appellant, v. Board of Property Assessment,...

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