News from July 2016
Woman says disability benefits were improperly denied
PITTSBURGH — An employee is suing Standard Insurance Company, citing alleged breach of contract and violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
Employer accused of not paying contribution
PITTSBURGH — Labor union funds are suing Schaaf Excavating Contractors Inc., an employer, citing alleged breach of contract.
Court decision in 'take-home toxic-tort' case more subtle than widely reported, attorney says
TRENTON, N.J. – A New Jersey Supreme Court decision reported to extend company responsibility for employees exposed to potentially hazardous material to include their housemates is more subtle than has been widely reported, an insurance attorney says.
New Pennsylvania tax credit available to investors in waterfront redevelopment
HARRISBURG – A new tax credit for Pennsylvania was signed in on July 13 by Gov. Tom Wolf to encourage investment and development of various waterfront properties.
Pharmaceutical companies accused of inadequate labeling
PHILADELPHIA — A couple's lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, Janssen Research & Development LLC and Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. cites alleged breach of implied warranty, failure to warn, fraud, negligence, negligent misrepresentation and product liability.
Woman claims Amtrak responsible for injuries
PHILADELPHIA — A passenger is suing National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Woman claims pay was beneath minimum wage
PITTSBURGH — A former employee has filed a class-action lawsuit against Brinker International Inc., alleging violation of wage laws.
Man seeks pay for travel time, other hours
PENNSYLVANIA — A man has filed a class-action lawsuit against Allegheny Technologies Inc. and Strom Engineering Corporation, claiming violations of wage laws.
Woman claims she wasn't paid proper overtime
PITTSBURGH — A former employee is suing Keystone Clearwater Solutions LLC, alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Liability lawsuit against York grocery store may be transferred to that county's court
PHILADELPHIA – A premises liability lawsuit versus a York-based grocery store could be transferred to that jurisdiction’s county court, if a defense motion proves successful.
Wrongful death lawsuit to stay in Philadelphia court, judge says
PHILADELPHIA – A wrongful death and survival action will remain in the local court system, per a recent order from a judge in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.
Delaware County court to now hear legal action against maintenance service firm
PHILADELPHIA – A preliminary objection to change the venue of a premises liability lawsuit against a Folcroft-based maintenance company proved successful in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas this week.
Norristown builder's venue objections overruled in Philadelphia court
PHILADELPHIA – A Norristown building company’s preliminary objections as to a possible change of venue in a slip-and-fall case have been overruled in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.
Several preliminary objections raised in Philadelphia car crash case
PHILADELPHIA – A series of preliminary objections is being contested in a Philadelphia-based car crash case in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, connected to legal sufficiency of the included claims.
Attorneys say borough missing from construction injury case necessitates transfer to Montgomery County
PHILADELPHIA – A defense attorney in a personal injury case says a plaintiff did not include a necessary defendant in the subsequent litigation, and summarily wants the case transferred to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.
Philadelphia judge denies transfer of accident litigation to Luzerne County
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia judge has denied a motion to transfer a motor vehicle accident case to Luzerne County, despite a defense attorney claiming the case being heard in a local jurisdiction was a form of “harassment.”
Labor panel hits reset button on collective bargaining rule
CHAMBERSBURG — With more employers using contingent workers, including temporary and part-time staff, a new labor relations decision broadens a collective bargaining rule that makes it easier for these increasingly common alternative workforces to organize.
Attorney: Extra $5M law enforcement policy for DNC could come in handy
PHILADELPHIA – City officials took out $250 million in insurance coverage ahead of the 2016 Democratic National Convention currently running in Philadelphia, and an attorney says it is probably a good thing the City took out an extra $5 million for coverage in lawsuits against law enforcement.
Lawyer in $70M Risperdal case expects more large verdicts
PHILADELPHIA – Early returns were blown away by a recent Philadelphia verdict against Johnson & Johnson, which faces hundreds of lawsuits in the court that allege the company's antipsychotic drug Risperdal caused the growing of breasts in male users.
Company fined $98K over sexual assault disagrees with OSHA's allegations
YORK – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has handed down a citation and fine to a national health care provider after an assault on one of its employees, but the company's CEO says information released by the agency misrepresents its commitment to employee safety.