News from February 2012
'Open carrier' files federal civil rights suit against city, police dept.
The Pennsylvania man who claimed Philadelphia police officers were overzealous when they held him at gunpoint and forced him to the ground for no other reason than they saw a gun strapped to his hip has filed a federal civil rights complaint against the city and its police department.
Judge refuses to dismiss suit against Montgomery County Correctional Facility
A federal judge has denied a request by Montgomery County to dismiss a lawsuit against it that had been filed by a former prison inmate who claimed a failure on the part of correctional medical staff to detect a spinal abscess caused him to suffer great bodily harm.
Former Panera Bread Co. asst. manager sues for retaliatory firing
A former Panera Bread employee has filed a federal lawsuit against the company, alleging her firing after two years of employment was in retaliation for her complaints over discriminatory treatment.
Pa. woman who claims she suffered broken teeth in slip-and-fall sues Starbucks
A Pennsylvania woman who claims she sustained broken teeth and other injuries after falling face-first in the parking lot of a local Starbucks has filed a personal injury claim against the coffee giant in federal court.
Feds fine Capmark $3.9 million over loan misrepresenations
A Horsham, Pa. real estate finance company, Capmark Finance, will pay the federal government $3.9 million in fines to settle a case involving two out-of-state nursing homes.
Judge refuses to dismiss excessive force complaint against Phila. cop
A federal judge has refused to dismiss an excessive force claim against a Philadelphia police officer in a case stemming from an alleged altercation during a Black Friday shopping excursion at a city Walmart more than a year ago.
Administrative Office of Pa. Courts seeks inputs on proposed electronic case filing changes
The commonwealth court system’s administrative wing is seeking input on proposed amendments to the policy concerning electronically stored records in the judiciary’s case management systems.
Wrongful death claim against SEPTA dismissed by federal judge
A federal judge has dismissed a wrongful death complaint against SEPTA that was initiated by a man who claims his son died while aboard a mass transit train due to the negligence of the vehicle’s operator.
Burger King customer sues fast food giant for hot coffee spill
A Philadelphia woman who claims she became burned by a hot cup of coffee at local Burger King is suing the fast food giant in state court.
Man rear-ended by Greyhound bus sues in state court
A Philadelphia man is suing Harrisburg, Pa.-based Greyhound Lines for injuries he allegedly sustained after being rear-ended by a Greyhound bus in downtown Philadelphia this past fall.
Federal judge to state lawmakers: use 2001 legislative district boundaries
A federal judge in Philadelphia has ruled that state legislative district boundaries that were drawn up in 2001 can be used as the election season moves forward.
Widow of man who became injured in slip-and-fall months before death sues City of Phila.
The widow of a man who died months after becoming injured in a non-related slip-and-fall incident at Philadelphia International Airport has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the deceased man’s estate, claiming she has been left with outstanding medical bills to take care of.
Federal judge recommends immediate release for man who had been acquitted of killing officer
A 76-year-old man who two years ago escaped a murder conviction stemming from the death of a former police officer whom the man shot decades earlier during a botched robbery, leaving the cop paralyzed until his 2007 death, should be immediately released from prison, a federal judge has recommended.
Personal injury firm donates $200,000 to Community Legal Services of Phila.
A Philadelphia-based personal injury law firm has made a sizeable donation to an organization that provides poor city residents with legal counsel in civil cases.
Stairwell fall leads to injury claim against company that operates residential rehab facility
A Chester County, Pa. couple has filed a personal injury lawsuit against a Delaware corporation for injuries the wife, an employee of the company, claims to have sustained after she fell down a set of stairs while working.
Fired healthcare services account manager sues for racial discrimination
A former account manager at a business that provides healthcare services to nursing facilities has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the Bensalem, Pa.-based company, alleging his firing after 13-years of employment was retaliatory in nature.
Prison inmate who fractured spine in sleepwalking episode sues Pa. Dept. of Corrections
A former state prison inmate has filed suit against the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections alleging the fractured spinal column he sustained after falling from his cell bunk during a sleepwalking episode was due to the fact that prison officials ignored his request for ground-level bedding.
Pa. Supreme Court releases opinion in legislative redistricting case
A week after invalidating a legislative redistricting plan for the new decade, the first time such a ruling has occurred since the late 1960s, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court released its majority opinion in the case, stating that it ruled the 2011 Legislative Reapportionment Plan was unconstitutional because it unnecessarily broke up political subdivisions.
Pepper Hamilton hires non-lawyer as new CEO
A new chief executive officer has been named to lead a large Philadelphia-area law firm – and he’s not an attorney.
Bill designed to discourage enactment of municipal gun laws passes Pa. House committee
A bill aimed at deterring localities from enacting their own municipal firearms ordinances by hitting them where it hurts most, their wallets, has passed the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee.