Published:Wednesday, March 2, 2005 11:31 AM PST
Serving the South Coast of Oregon

Top court to hear varied cases
Wednesday, March 2, 2005 11:31 AM PST

The Supreme Court on Monday:

- Heard arguments on whether foreign cruise lines sailing in U.S. waters must comply with a federal disabilities law requiring better access for passengers in wheelchairs.

- Said it will use a renters' lawsuit claiming personal injury from toxic mold in apartments to clarify when plaintiffs can sue in federal or state court.

- Agreed to consider whether states may tax motor fuel that is sold on Indian reservations in a case involving the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe in Kansas.

- Said it will consider whether a whistleblower prosecutor may sue his former employers for retaliation after he reported possible wrongdoing by the sheriff's office.

- Agreed to review whether a federal appeals court may examine the sufficiency of evidence in a civil jury case when a party failed to move for a new trial. The case involves packaged food company Unitherm Food Systems in its patent suit against Swift-Eckrich, also known as ConAgra, for a method of browning precooked meat.

- Declined to hear the appeal of Panos Tsolainos, the former Louisiana shipping executive serving a life sentence for running over his ex-wife with a car.

- Asked for the U.S. solicitor general's views in a case challenging a multimillion dollar award against North Carolina-based Laboratory Corp. of America for patent infringement involving a test that helps predict strokes, heart attacks and dementia.


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