News from November 2021
Penn State University steward claims supervisor raped her and created hostile work environment
WILLIAMSPORT – An anonymous woman and steward at Penn State University contends she was subject to sexual harassment and retaliation at her workplace, after she was allegedly raped by her direct supervisor.
Bucks County man discontinues federal case against wrapper machine manufacturer, intends to continue in state court
PHILADELPHIA – A Bucks County man has voluntarily discontinued litigation against a pair of manufacturers for negligence and other causes of action in federal court, after his legs were allegedly crushed while using a turntable stretch wrapper machine.
United Steelworkers presses on to obtain sick pay benefits for family of ADA who passed away two years ago
PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers union is continuing in its attempt to vacate and dismiss arbitration proceedings, which sought to obtain sick pay benefits for a former assistant district attorney who passed away of cancer in 2019.
Ex-dining services director wins $812K judgment in wrongful termination and disability lawsuit
ALLENTOWN – The former director of dining services at a Lancaster retirement home community has prevailed in her wrongful termination-related disability lawsuit, winning a judgment of $812,036.
Fox Rothschild Named Law Firm Partner of the Year by the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania Legal Education Fund
Fox Rothschild Named Law Firm Partner of the Year by the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania Legal Education Fund.
Marshall Dennehey Receives 2021 Champion of the Bar Award From The Philadelphia Bar Association
Marshall Dennehey Receives 2021 Champion of the Bar Award From The Philadelphia Bar Association.
Ballard Spahr Partner Shannon Farmer Inducted Into College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
Ballard Spahr Partner Shannon Farmer Inducted Into College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.
Case activity for Charles F. Knapp vs Stephen Brown on Nov. 15
The Delaware County Court of Common Pleas reported the following activities in the suit brought by Charles F. Knapp against Stephen Brown on Nov. 15.
Class action suit: Scrap metal processing facility producing noxious odors and noise for area neighbors
PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania woman has filed a class action lawsuit against a local scrap metal processing facility, claiming that the facility’s operation led to the emission of noxious odors, particulates and imposition of noise on a number of surrounding area homeowners.
Federal judge denies MyLife.com's attempt to dismiss defamation case of fencing academy owner
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has rebuffed an attempt by the MyLife.com website to dismiss litigation from a Bucks County man and fencing instruction facility, finding that limited discovery should be conducted on the issue of whether or not the case will head to arbitration.
Ingomar couple settle injury claims against Cranberry Township-based farmers market
PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania couple have settled their claims against an Illinois-based farmers’ market chain, after one of the plaintiffs struck a raised bumper and fell while shopping in a local store owned by the defendant.
Commonwealth wants case of man claiming illegal traffic stop, vehicle search and arrest, thrown out
PHILADELPHIA – The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking the dismissal of litigation brought by a Chester County man who alleged he was illegally subjected to detainment, search, arrest and a blood test for DUI without probable cause by a Pennsylvania state trooper.
Aldi says shopper who fell on sticky substance caused her own injuries and her lawsuit is groundless
PITTSBURGH – Aldi contends that it was not liable for injuries one of its shoppers says she suffered when she came into contact with an accumulated, sticky substance on the floor of the grocery retailer’s Penn Hills location.
Hilltop Inn sued after stair railing allegedly gives way
PITTSBURGH - Anthony Carter filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Hilltop Inn for negligence - premises liability.
Man sues American Airlines for mishandling and damaging of wheelchair
PHILADELPHIA - Eddieberto Martinez filed a federal complaint on October 19 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against American Airlines for negligence.
Suit: Reading Recreation Commission failed to stop employee's sexual abuse against 11-year-old girl
ALLENTOWN – A federal lawsuit alleges that a now-incarcerated ex-employee of the Reading Recreation Commission committed multiple acts of sexual abuse and molestation against a then-11-year-old girl, and that the organization both failed to stop the abuse from happening and violated the plaintiff’s constitutional rights.
Judge rules privilege protects Internal Affairs report of alleged excessive force incident
HARRISBURG – A federal judge has decreed that an Internal Affairs report surrounding an excessive force incident will not be made available to the plaintiff alleging the event took place, while audio recordings of officer interviews will.
Two Delaware County neighbors withdraw from nuisance litigation against materials-crushing contractor
MEDIA – A group of Delaware County neighbors who had alleged that an adjacent contractor’s materials-crushing operations were creating a private and public nuisance and violating a local township ordinance for noise and air quality, now has two less plaintiffs to oppose that contractor in court.
Physical therapy firm argues Third Circuit decision indemnifies it from clients’ COVID-19 contraction and PPE case
PITTSBURGH – A physical therapy firm accused of not using personal protective equipment and leading a Bethel Park couple to contract COVID-19 has cited a recent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in support of its efforts to dismiss the plaintiffs’ case.
Delco plaintiff seeks to consolidate pair of negligence and medical malpractice cases against Crozer Health System
MEDIA – A Delaware County woman who has now twice alleged that negligence on the part of a host of medical professionals in the Crozer Health Care System led to her late husband’s cancer being missed in examinations, is seeking to consolidate both of her cases.