Federal Court
Divided rulings come down on dismissal motions, in man’s assault suit against police and corrections officers
PITTSBURGH – A federal judge has issued split decisions with respect to a trio of motions to dismiss, in litigation brought by a man who claimed he was assaulted during his arrest and detention by New Castle police officers in September 2021.
Federal Court
Judge denies motions in COVID-19 vax exemption suit versus Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Appellate Courts
Pa. Supreme Court dismisses articles of impeachment against Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner
HARRISBURG – A recent 3-1 ruling from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania dismissed articles of impeachment brought against Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, due to the process being improperly taken up during two different legislative sessions.
Federal Court
Judge rules trial over fatality tied to Panera Charged Lemonade will proceed as scheduled on Oct. 7
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has decreed that a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the parents of a University of Pennsylvania student, who died in 2022 allegedly after drinking a highly caffeinated lemonade beverage sold by the restaurant chain and one allegedly to which no warning of its high caffeine content was provided, will proceed to trial as scheduled on Oct. 7.
Today, the Fair Share Act’s name is a misnomer
State Court
Plaintiff Alleges Insurance Company Failed to Pay Underinsured Motorist Benefits Following Severe Car Accident
Sarah C.Bisignani has filed a lawsuit against American National Property And Casualty Company for allegedly failing to pay out underinsured motorist benefits after she sustained serious injuries in a car accident.The plaintiff seeks compensation up to $750000 along with punitive damages for bad faith actions.
State Court
Plaintiff sues Retail Giant Wal-Mart for Negligence Over Defective Shopping Carts
Ruthie France has filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores East alleging negligence after suffering severe injuries due to defective shopping carts at one of their stores in Washington County. The suit seeks damages exceeding $50,000 for medical expenses, loss of earnings, pain and suffering among other claims.
State Court
Plaintiffs Allege Legal Malpractice Against Attorney Over Business Dealings
Heather and Jeff Grynka have filed a lawsuit against their former attorney Aloysius T. Lawn and his firm for alleged legal malpractice related to business dealings with Sapphire Steel Inc., claiming significant financial losses due to unethical practices and conflicts of interest.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Local Car Dealership Wrongfully Terminated Him Due to Cancer Diagnosis
Stephen Dodson has filed a lawsuit against Oxford Valley Imports alleging wrongful termination due to his cancer diagnosis. The case highlights potential violations of ADA and PHRA laws concerning disability discrimination and failure to provide reasonable accommodations.
Federal Court
Pennsylvania Man Sues Nonprofit Organization Over Alleged Disability Discrimination
Darrin Chapman has filed a lawsuit against United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Peopleshare Professional alleging wrongful termination following a request for medical accommodation due to a severe case of shingles. The case highlights issues related to workplace discrimination and retaliation under federal and state laws.
State Court
Pittsburgh Woman Sues Automotive Companies Over Defective Tires Leading to Severe Accident
Teaira K. Collins has filed a lawsuit against Jim Shorkey Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., and Champ Tires after defective tires allegedly caused a severe accident resulting in multiple injuries.
State Court
Plaintiffs Allege Negligence Against Healthcare Provider Over Elderly Woman's Injuries
In a detailed lawsuit filed in Allegheny County's Court of Common Pleas on February 13th, Maureen C.Welker and Kathleen A.Tutsock accuse HCR III Healthcare LLC d/b/a ProMedica Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation (Whitehall Borough)of severe negligence leading to significant injuries sustained by their mother Anita C.Welker during her stay at the facility.The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages for alleged failures in providing adequate care.
State Court
Patron Sues Casino Restaurant Over Negligence Leading to Dental Injuries
Kacy Fritz has filed a lawsuit against Holdings Acquisition Co., owner of Rivers Casino's Wheelhouse restaurant in Pittsburgh after biting into a bone hidden in her soup caused severe dental injuries requiring extensive treatment.
State Court
Plaintiff accuses Defendants of Unfair Competition
Jets Barbershop Group LLC has filed a lawsuit against three former employees and their new business for allegedly stealing confidential customer information to start a competing barbershop nearby. The plaintiff seeks injunctive relief along with monetary damages.
Hey PA: 5 new cases to know about, including animal testing at Pitt
Recently filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania courts include a religious discrimination lawsuit against the University of Pittsburgh, plus another suit against a York construction company.
Hey PA - Murder at high school football game one of 5 new cases to know about
Recently filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania courts include a wrongful death case over a shooting at a high school football game and a suit against Robinson Township over a fatal shooting by one of its police officers.
Man who refused mask at his kids' school wants to be allowed back in
PHILADELPHIA - The Wyomissing Area School District faces a lawsuit from a man it barred from schools for not wearing a mask in 2021.
Battle for bathroom in Subway results in lawsuit
PITTSBURGH - An altercation in a restaurant bathroom has a West Mifflin man suing Subway and FedEx.
Personal injury lawyers want their COVID tax break from the government
PHILADELPHIA - A Montgomery County law firm says the IRS hasn't paid up for tax breaks promised to businesses that stayed open during the COVID pandemic.
W.Va. attorneys secure key victory in Pa. contamination case
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Some West Virginia attorneys are declaring a key victory in a Pennsylvania case regarding properties contaminated with arsenic and lead decades after a U.S. Steel facility was shuttered.
Retaliation claims dismissed from former Allegheny County Jail officer who refused COVID vax
PITTSBURGH – A federal court in Pittsburgh has dismissed retaliation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 but preserved a discrimination claim lodged under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, in litigation brought by a former Allegheny County Jail corrections officer who lost her job for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
Trial on horizon for Philly prosecutor who refused COVID vaccine on religious grounds
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has reinstated a religious discrimination lawsuit brought by a former prosecutor, concerning a COVID-19 vaccine mandate at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
FTC issues report on pharmacy benefit managers following AG Henry’s call for more regulation of industry
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chair said a new report issued by her agency shows that the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry is leading to higher prescription drug costs.
Health care company that fired physical therapist for refusing COVID vax removes her suit to federal court
PITTSBURGH – An Ohio healthcare group has removed litigation claiming it discriminated against the religious beliefs of one of its physical therapists by refusing to extend her an exemption from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine before firing her, to federal court.
Attorneys could get booted off case after calling other side's expert
PHILADELPHIA - A lawyer suing Avco Corp. and the Blank Rome law firm for allegedly defaming her now wants Avco’s lawyers disqualified for improperly calling her psychology expert. The ex parte contacts may have scared off the expert, complained Veronica Turner in a filing seeking sanctions against the defense lawyers.
Third Circuit declares Borough of Camp Hill's regulations on lawn signs are unconstitutional
PHILADELPHIA – A federal appellate court has decreed that the Borough of Camp Hill’s regulations on lawn signs related to personal expression – and often, politics – are unconstitutional.
Third Circuit cites no jurisdiction for insurer's appeal over asbestos litigation costs
PHILADELPHIA – Citing a lack of jurisdiction, a panel of judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled against an insurance company’s appeal connected to the costs it incurred in asbestos litigation from one of its customers.
Plaintiff Alleges Insurance Company Failed to Pay Underinsured Motorist Benefits Following Severe Car Accident
Sarah C.Bisignani has filed a lawsuit against American National Property And Casualty Company for allegedly failing to pay out underinsured motorist benefits after she sustained serious injuries in a car accident.The plaintiff seeks compensation up to $750000 along with punitive damages for bad faith actions.
Plaintiffs Allege Legal Malpractice Against Attorney Over Business Dealings
Heather and Jeff Grynka have filed a lawsuit against their former attorney Aloysius T. Lawn and his firm for alleged legal malpractice related to business dealings with Sapphire Steel Inc., claiming significant financial losses due to unethical practices and conflicts of interest.
Judge denies motions in COVID-19 vax exemption suit versus Pittsburgh Regional Transit
PITTSBURGH – A federal judge has denied motions for partial summary judgment and to sever claims from Pittsburgh Regional Transit, with respect to a class action brought against it by former employees who unsuccessfully submitted religious or medical exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine, and were later fired.
Lawsuit: Kickstand deployed on e-bike, causing crash in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH - A sudden jolt from a kickstand sent an e-bike and its rider into a curb, an Allegheny County lawsuit says.
DOJ nets $28M financial penalty against Warren Buffett-owned mortgage lender for redlining
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice has handed down a fine in excess of $28 million to a Pennsylvania mortgage company owned by billionaire Warren Buffet, which it says engaged in discriminatory lending practices to prospective homeowners who are Black and Latino.