Carrie Salls News
Judge dismisses some of AG Shapiro's 'rent-a-bank' lawsuit
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has dismissed some claims filed by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro related to a “rent-a-bank scheme” allegedly conducted by a group of lenders.
Out-of-state plaintiffs given permission by Pa. Supreme Court; Ruling is part of a trend, lawyer says
HARRISBURG – A recent state Supreme Court ruling that allowed an out-of-state resident to file a lawsuit in Philadelphia alleging violations of Pennsylvania law is part of a trend, a Philadelphia-area lawyer says.
Federal court declines to dismiss lawsuit against Ventralight mesh manufacturers
PITTSBURGH – The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a man who claimed the defendants used an uncoated lightweight monofilament polypropylene mesh in a hernia operation without first informing him of the potential risks associated with the product.
Federal judge dismisses some claims in wrongful conviction suit; Plaintiff was convicted of murder he didn't commit
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania dismissed parts of a lawsuit filed against the city of Philadelphia, two former police detectives and a former police officer by Shaurn Thomas, a man who “was convicted of a murder he did not commit,” according to an opinion entered Feb. 2 by U.S. District Judge Gene E.K. Pratter.
District court rules Community Vocational Schools lacks standing in fax case
PITTSBURGH – The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has granted Mildon Bus Lines' motion for summary judgment, saying that plaintiff Community Vocational Schools of Pittsburgh failed to provide enough evidence for its Telephone Consumer Protect Act lawsuit.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court allows state law to apply in out-of-state dispute
HARRISBURG – The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled in a Feb. 21 opinion that an out-of-state plaintiff can sue a Pennsylvania-based company under Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL).
Fine & Wyatt files suit for $7,500 in allegedly unpaid fees, seeks court change
HARRISBURG – Law firm Fine & Wyatt PC is seeking payment of $7,500 in legal fees it allegedly negotiated in a payment compromise with clients who elected to switch to a different firm.
Judge allows evidence of past convictions in Keystone Quality Transport hostile workplace case
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. District Judge Gerald J. Pappert allowed admission of evidence related to some prior convictions of the plaintiff and one of the defendants in a hostile work environment, retaliation and aiding and abetting case, according to a Feb. 6 memorandum filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Subclass certified in Prudential payment method case
ALLENTOWN – Despite a third ruling denying certification of a class of insurance beneficiaries in payment method litigation filed against Prudential Insurance Co. of America, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania did certify a subclass in a Jan. 29 opinion after making a partial ruling in favor of the plaintiffs on Dec. 6.
Lawsuit reform group hopes next judiciary chairs are 'open-minded and willing to listen'
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform Executive Director Curt Schroder said his organization looks forward to working with the next chairs of the state's judiciary committees following announcements that both of the current leaders oplan to retire.
Federal judge dismisses RICO claims filed against U.S. Xpress by former drivers
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania dismissed a racketeering lawsuit filed against U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc., Pratt (Corrugated Logistics) LLC and certain employees of both companies, according to a memorandum opinion entered on Feb. 5 by Judge Cynthia M. Rufe.
Nurse with hearing loss loses part of lawsuit against Genesis Healthcare
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania granted Genesis Healthcare Corp.’s partial motion to dismiss a Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit filed by a former employee, according to an opinion issued on Feb. 6.
CSX fighting employee's lawsuit; Plaintiff allegedly wasn't hurt like he claimed
JOHNSTOWN – The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has denied a train conductor’s motion for partial summary judgment in an injury case filed against CSX Transportation Inc. after the plaintiff’s co-worker testified that he was not injured as claimed, according to an opinion entered Feb. 1 by Judge Kim R. Gibson.
Inmate loses asbestos case after alleging exposure at SCI-Rockview
HARRISBURG – The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania upheld a ruling dismissing a State Correctional Institute at Rockview inmate’s Eighth Amendment conditions of confinement, negligence and fraud claims, according to an opinion filed Feb. 6 by Judge Anne E. Covey.
Legal reform on the mind of GOP gov candidate; Product liability law 'an incoherent mess'
PITTSBURGH – Jones Day of counsel and Republican gubernatorial candidate Laura Ellsworth has several ideas for legal reform and changes to the current civil justice system that she would like to implement if she wins the office.
In Pennsylvania, you can drive an Uber while still collecting unemployment
HARRISBURG – The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania overturned a ruling of the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review that denied benefits to a former behavioral specialist who took on work as an Uber driver, according to a Jan. 24 opinion.
Following appellate court rulings, Manor Care able to arbitrate wrongful death lawsuit
LANCASTER – A Lancaster County judge last year sent a lawsuit over the death of a resident of a Lancaster nursing home to arbitration.
Third Circuit upholds nearly $16,000 penalty against R.L. Reppert over pension plan documents
PHILADELPHIA – In December, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed rulings in a Pennsylvania lawsuit that alleges a Lehigh County company did not meet its pension requirements.
After losing election, state Senate candidate can't sue those who challenged his petition
HARRISBURG – A lower court’s dismissal of a civil lawsuit filed by former state Senate candidate John H. Morley Jr. against several defendants who challenged his 2016 candidacy was upheld in a Jan. 24 ruling of the Commonwealth Court.
Bill banning non-compete agreements sits in Pa. House; Passage looks unlikely, attorney says
HARRISBURG – The proposed Freedom to Work Act, which proposes a ban on non-compete agreements by Pennsylvania employers, could cause a great deal of concern but faces a long road to passage, a Fisher & Phillips attorney says.