Church Law & Tax Report

A federal appeals court has provided a useful list of factors to consider in determining whether or not a "parent" corporation is legally responsible for the liabilities and obligations of a "subsidiary" or affiliate.

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled that a parent corporation was not liable for injuries suffered by an employee of a subsidiary corporation, since the two entities were not sufficiently interrelated.

A federal court in Mississippi ruled that a parent corporation was not legally responsible for the liabilities of a subsidiary corporation.

A federal appeals court ruled that it had no authority to resolve a "wrongful termination" claim brought by a minister against a religious employer.

A federal court dismissed a race and sex discrimination claim brought by a former employee against a church agency on the ground that he failed to demonstrate that his dismissal was discriminatory or that the church treated white employees more favorably.

A federal district court in New York ruled that a church agency did not violate the Family and Medical Leave Act by dismissing an employee whose investment decisions resulted in a loss of $8 million in church funds.

A federal court in Texas ruled that a church could collect court costs that it paid in successfully defending itself in a lawsuit.

An Ohio court ruled that a church was not responsible for injuries sustained by a minor who was injured while trespassing on church property.

An Illinois court ruled that a church could be liable for injuries sustained by participants in a "treasure hunt."

The Florida Supreme Court ruled that a funeral home was responsible for injuries sustained by a woman who was involved in an accident while driving her vehicle through a red light at a busy intersection as part of a funeral procession.

A New York court ruled that a charity were liable for an executive officer's acts of sexual harassment.