Strategies, Challenges, and Answers

Leaving The Scene Of The Accident Is Not By Itself A Basis For Punitive Damages

As Defendant Driver VanVeen was exiting the I-15 at Charleston, he failed to slow his tractor trailer sufficiently.  His truck hit the back of the Plaintiffs’ car.  The truck scraped the side of the car and kept ongoing.   The car followed the truck.  As the truck tried to merge to the left lane it hit the car again because the car was in the truck’s blind spot.  The truck then stopped. In Hernandez v. VanVeen, No. 2:14-CV-1493 JCM (CWH), 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 161886 (D. Nev. Sep. 29, 2017), … [Read more...]

Hedonic Damages in Nevada

In Banks v. Sunrise Hospital, 120 Nev. 822, 102 P.3d 52 (2004) Nevada joined those states which allow an award for hedonic damages stating: damages for “loss of enjoyment of life” compensate for the limitations, resulting from the defendant’s negligence on the injured person’s ability to participate in and derive pleasure from the normal activities of daily life, or for the individual’s inability to pursue his talents, recreational interests, hobbies, or avocations. In Nevada, hedonic damages … [Read more...]

Nevada Joins Club Cumis

In State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Hansen, 131 Nev. 743, 357 P.3d 338 (2015) the Nevada Supreme Court adopted the independent counsel model outlined by the California Court of Appeals in San Diego Federal Credit Union v. Cumis Ins. Society, Inc., 208 Cal. Rptr. 494, 506 (Ct. App. 1984), superseded by statute as stated in United Enters., Inc. v. Superior Court, 108 Cal. Rptr. 3d 25 (App 2010). In its opinion issued on September 24, 2015, the Nevada Supreme Court said that an insurance company … [Read more...]

Happy New Year!

May 2020 bring new opportunities, success at every step and countless reasons to celebrate! We wish you health and prosperity in the coming year and beyond. Happy New Year! … [Read more...]

Season’s Greetings

I really enjoy this time of year.  It means that I get to spend more time with my family and splurge eating some foods that I would otherwise shun. I hope that all of the readers of the Nevada Law Blogs will also be sipping something warm, eating a little too much and staying safe out of the weather.  Most importantly, I hope that you all will be sharing this wonderful Season with those you love. From all of us to all of you, have a Happy Holiday.   … [Read more...]