High court to review fine for mercury storage

Recent Cases

The Supreme Court will consider throwing out an $18 million penalty against Texas-based Southern Union Co. for illegally storing mercury at a rundown building in Rhode Island.

The justices said Monday they will hear the natural gas company's appeal of the criminal penalty that was imposed by a federal judge and upheld by an appeals court.

What makes the case unusual is that the company is challenging the size of the penalty under a line of Supreme Court cases concerning prison sentences.

Southern Union had used the building in Pawtucket to store outdated mercury-sealed gas regulators that it removed from customers' homes. The mercury was initially removed and shipped to a recycling center. But when that work stopped, the regulators and loose mercury were left to accumulate inside the building.

Related listings

  • Federal Court of Canada Certifies Class Action

    Federal Court of Canada Certifies Class Action

    Recent Cases 11/26/2011

    Branch MacMaster LLP and Hordo Bennett Mounteer LLP report that the Federal Court of Canada has certified the BIM Class Action against Business in Motion International Corporation and Alan Kippax. By order dated November 10, 2011 , Mr. Justice Rennie...

  • NY top court clears probe of inflated appraisals

    NY top court clears probe of inflated appraisals

    Recent Cases 11/23/2011

    New York's top court has cleared the state attorney general to pursue allegations that First American Corp. and subsidiary eAppraiseIT inflated property appraisals under pressure from client Washington Mutual. The Court of Appeals says federal regula...

  • Guilty plea planned in Palin lawyer harassment

    Guilty plea planned in Palin lawyer harassment

    Recent Cases 11/22/2011

    A 20-year-old Pennsylvania man has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge of making harassing phone calls in a case involving Sarah Palin's lawyers. Shawn Christy filed notice Monday in U.S. District Court that he intends to plead guilty in an ex...

Is Now the Time to Really Call a Special Education Lawyer?

IDEA, FAPE, CHILD FIND and IEPs: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees all children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). FAPE starts with a school’s responsibility to identify that a child has a disability (Child Find) and create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to suit the needs of the child. Parents need to be persistent, dedicated and above all else aware of the many services and accommodations that their child is entitled to under the law. As early as this point within your child’s special education, many parents will often find themselves in the situation asking, “is now the time to really call a special education lawyer.” Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself that question.