Most Important Opinions

1. Workers’ Compensation – Change of Condition – Insufficient Showing – Doctor’s Testimony 

   Wilhite v. Pike Electric, Inc. Although plaintiff’s doctor agreed with plaintiff’s counsel’s assertion that plaintiff was “100 percent” disabled, the doctor’s opinion on this point was not based solely upon plaintiff’s medical condition – which the doctor said was unchanged – or on the doctor’s medical expertise; rather, the doctor agreed with counsel’s assessment based on the doctor’s consideration of plaintiff’s “skill set and educational background.”

2. Contract – Used Car Purchase – Allegedly Forged Signature – Ratification – Attorney’s Fees – No Statutory Basis 

   Huff v. CBS Quality Cars, Inc. Since the trial court found that plaintiff signed the bill of sale and ratified the financing contract by accepting the car, driving it, and making payments on it for several months, the court was not required to make a finding of fact regarding whether plaintiff’s signature on the financing contract had been forged.

3. Criminal Practice – No Due Process Claim from Contraband Cigarette Sting 

   U.S. v. Hasan The sale of untaxed cigarettes by government agents during a two-year investigation of trafficking in contraband cigarettes was not so “outrageous” and “shocking” as to violate defendant’s right to due process, and the 4th Circuit affirms his convictions under 18 U.S.C. § 371 and § 2342(a).