Carrie Salls News
Former mental institution patients appeal gun ownership case dismissal to Third Circuit
PHILADELPHIA – Two men have appealed a Sept. 25 order in which a federal judge dismissed their lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania and federal laws that prohibit individuals who were previously admitted to a mental institution from owning a gun.
Court restores disability benefits for former Duquesne Light worker who claimed bomb threats caused a panic disorder and PTSD
HARRISBURG – The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has reversed a Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (WCAB) decision that terminated a former Duquesne Light Co. employee’s medical benefits related to treatment of panic disorder - but also upheld termination of her benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder symptoms.
Supreme Court won't hear appeal of woman who blamed fatal wreck on GM ignition switch
HARRISBURG – The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will not hear an appeal related to Lakisha Marie Ward-Green’s conviction on charges of manslaughter and reckless driving, according to a Dec. 7 order, allowing a Superior Court of Pennsylvania ruling made in the case to stand.
Plaintiffs' attorney, weighing possible appeal, says GNC overtime pay ruling 'still a victory'
HARRISBURG – The plaintiffs’ attorney in a class action overtime pay lawsuit filed against General Nutrition Centers agreed with much of a Dec. 22 appeal ruling entered by the Superior Court.
Uber seeks ruling on whether drivers are entitled to compensation for time waiting
PHILADELPHIA – Uber Technologies Inc. has asked the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to reconsider a ruling that addressed the issue of whether Uber drivers who are online waiting for ride requests are entitled to compensation for that time.
Boscov's seeks dismissal of FMLA lawsuit after loss in Third Circuit
READING – Boscov’s Department Store is asking the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to dismiss a Family and Medical Leave Act complaint, months after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled in favor of the plaintiff.
Lawmaker: Freeing nurse practitioners of work constraints will help health care across state; FTC also on board
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Jesse Topper (R-78) believes a bill he introduced that would allow nurse practitioners to bring their services to more “underserved areas” in Pennsylvania is “the right thing for the people of Pennsylvania, the right thing for health care across the state.”
Parx Racing may yet get insurer to pay $2.6M punitive award to jockey's widow
HARRISBURG – The state Superior Court of Pennsylvania has vacated a Philadelphia County order allowing the denial of insurance coverage for punitive damages awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit, according to an opinion entered on Nov. 30.
Superior Court overturns order absolving Aramark of blame in hospital scrub room fall case
HARRISBURG – The Superior Court has overturned a Philadelphia County order that found Aramark Healthcare Support Services was not subject to vicarious liability in connection with a Holy Redeemer Hospital nurse’s fall on a recently mopped scrub room floor.
Surgeon loses appeal after allegedly performing procedures without permission at Somerset Hospital
HARRISBURG – The state Superior Court has upheld a Somerset County order granting summary judgment in favor of Somerset Hospital in an appeal filed by a surgeon who allegedly performed two procedures at the hospital without permission.
Waldron Electric's fight to recover more in breach of contract case sent back to trial court
HARRISBURG – The state Superior Court sent part of a breach of contract and unjust enrichment case filed against Waldron Electric Heating and Cooling Inc. back to the Washington County Court of Common Pleas for further proceedings, according to an opinion filed Nov. 14.
Commonwealth Court upholds denial of former Kinder Morgan worker's benefits claim
HARRISBURG – The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled that the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board was right to deny workers’ compensation benefits to a former Kinder Morgan Inc. based on its application of the “mental-mental” standard to the claimant’s mental disability claim, according to an opinion filed Nov. 14 by the Commonwealth Court.
Award of unemployment benefits to terminated Philadelphia Fresh Foods employee upheld by court
HARRISBURG – Philadelphia Fresh Foods LLC’s petition for review of an Unemployment Compensation Board of Review order granting unemployment compensation benefits to a former company employee was unsuccessful, according to a Nov. 14 Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania opinion upholding the board’s decision.
Navient seeks dismissal of 'piggyback' class action tied to loan repayment
SCRANTON – Navient, the nation's largest student loan company, is asking the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed against it by students who allege that their debt was mishandled, according to a motion filed Sept. 20.
Samsung seeks dismissal of Galaxy S3 cell phone fire complaint
PITTSBURGH – Samsung Electronics America Inc. asked the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania to dismiss a cell phone-related product liability class action lawsuit or, in the alternative, strike the complaint’s class allegations, according to a motion filed July 17.
Waiver at trampoline park signed by wife without husband's permission; Lawsuit allowed to proceed
HARRISBURG – Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park lost an appeal filed in a personal injury lawsuit after the Superior Court ruled that the injured party’s wife signed participation paperwork on his behalf without his consent, according to an Oct. 31 opinion.
Two defendants seek dismissal of Teva Pharmaceuticals trade secrets lawsuit
PHILADELPHIA – Two defendants named by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. in a July 7 Trade Secrets Act and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act lawsuit have asked the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to dismiss the cases against them.
Philadelphia Lyft injunction vacated after state legislators pass law
PHILADELPHIA – The Commonwealth Court has vacated an injunction that prohibited transportation network companies (TNCs), including appellant Lyft Inc., from operating in the city of Philadelphia, according to an opinion entered on Oct. 31.
Cowhey Family Supermarket asks court to dismiss pharmacist's whistleblower lawsuit
PHILADELPHIA – Cowhey Family Supermarket LP is asking the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by a former employee who alleges she was fired by the company in violation of the False Claims Act and the Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law.
Fired student loses $1M verdict after Bloomsburg University's appeal to Third Circuit
PHILADELPHIA – Geisinger Medical Center, Bloomsburg University and two employees are not liable for previously awarded damages related to the firing of a nurse anesthesiology student after she refused to submit to a drug test, according to a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit opinion.