Robert Murray and Rhonda Murray v. Philip H. White

Summary

The court held that the denial of qualified immunity was immediately appealable under the collateral-order exception because qualified immunity protects against the burdens of litigation itself. On the merits, it held that the SRS caseworker was entitled to qualified immunity because the undisputed facts showed that she acted within her authority, performed discretionary functions, and could not reasonably have known that her investigation violated clearly established rights. The court reversed and remanded for entry of summary judgment on all remaining claims against her.