W.D. Michigan Dismisses Tribal Tort Claim Against Sault Ste. Marie Tribe

Here are the briefs and order in the matter of Lesperance v. Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, 16-cv-00232 (W.D. Mich. April 27, 2017):

Update — tribal court opinions:

T-14-01 Lesperance vs. SSMTCI

APP 16-01 Lesperance vs. SSMTCI

Mullins v. Sycuan Band — Tort Claim Dismissed

This can be what happens when you sue someone while represented by an attorney who is not licensed in the proper state bar. The court dismissed the tort claim against the tribe because the attorney wasn’t licensed in California, but noted it would have dismissed the claim for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, too.

dct-order-to-show-cause

mullins-v-sycuan-band-dct-order

Efficient Justice in Tribal Courts — Workers Comp Claims in Wyoming

From the Caspar Star-Tribune:

It usually starts with a slip and a fall, or a limb that gets crushed or smashed. For Corey Johnston of Thermopolis, it was a 10-pound bolt that fell on his head in April 2000.

Almost as urgent as immediate medical treatment was the arduous process of filing and maintaining a claim with the Wyoming Workers’ Compensation Division.

During recovery from his head, neck and back injuries, Johnston received a temporary total disability benefit, calculated at two-thirds of Wyoming’s average monthly wage. But the payment stopped when he failed to file a monthly form to the division.

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