Opinions

This morning the Federal Circuit released a precedential opinion in a government contract case appealed from the Court of Federal Claims. The Federal Circuit also released a nonprecedential order dismissing an appeal for failure to prosecute. Here is the introduction to the opinion and text from the order.

Lanclos v. United States (Precedential)

Appellant Jennifer Lanclos appeals the decision of the Court of Federal Claims interpreting a settlement agreement between Ms. Lanclos and the U.S. Government. The Court of Federal Claims initially determined that the Government is liable for a shortfall in the settlement amounts received by Ms. Lanclos. The shortfall resulted when the insurance company contracted by the Government to provide monthly payments to Ms. Lanclos encountered financial difficulties and reduced the payments by a significant amount. The Government moved for reconsideration, arguing that a decision by this court involving similar circumstances constituted an intervening change in the controlling law that required the Court of Federal Claims to reach a different result. The Court of Federal Claims agreed and upon reconsideration decided that the Government is not liable for the shortfall because its liability ended once it purchased the annuity. We reverse the Court of Federal Claims’ decision and remand for further proceedings.

Edwards v. Department of the Navy (Nonprecedential Order)

The petitioner having failed to pay the docketing fee required by Federal Circuit Rule 52 (a) (1) and to file the required Statement Concerning Discrimination, it is

ORDERED that the petition for review be, and the same hereby is, DISMISSED, for failure to prosecute in accordance with the rules.