Charmaine Little News
Pier 1 customer alleges store overcharged her in sales tax, files class action
PITTSBURGH – An Irwin woman alleges she was charged sales tax on the full retail price of items purchased at Pier 1 Imports instead of the discounted price from the use of a coupon.
Frat sues Penn State; School banned it after pledge fell to his death
HARRISBURG – A Penn State fraternity alleges its constitutional rights were violated after the university banned it following an aspiring member’s death.
Veteran sues Pittsburgh police officers, animal shelters over seizure of 37 cats
Ronald James Madero, a 76-year-old veteran who said a handful of officers violated his rights when they seized nearly 40 cats near his property, took his issues to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on June 14.
Class action alleges gas company EQT misled public about Rice Energy acquisition
PITTSBURGH – A lawsuit has been filed against natural gas company EQT Corp. by a retirement system for employees of Cambridge, Massachusetts, over allegations it deceived the investing public regarding the acquisition of a competitor.
U.S. alleges Huntington Valley doctor submitted more than $9 million in excessive claims, committed fraud
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. government alleges in a suit filed in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania that a Huntington Valley doctor and his pain management clinic committed health care fraud.
Lawsuit against Stroudsburg Junior High says gym teacher forced student to participate after a concussion
WILKES-BARRE – A former student who was hit in the back of the head with a basketball during gym class is now suing the Stroudsburg Area School District in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Trip-and-fall plaintiff who said a step 'should be more evident' handed another loss
On July 30, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania backed a summary judgment for a hotel accused of negligence after a female patron fell.
Chester man alleges tribe-run online lender charged excessive rates on loan
PHILADELPHIA – Joseph Wildcat Sr., the president of the Lac Du Flambeau Tribe of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians is alleged to have violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and is now facing a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Lawsuit over accident with pressurized hose fails at Superior Court
PITTSBURGH - Eric Urbieta, who sued after being injured in a hose accident, lost his appeal July 26 following dismissal of his case.
Philadelphia Mayor Kenney not forced to testify - yet - in former Chief Information Officer's discrimination lawsuit
On July 25, Philadelphia’s former Chief Information Officer was denied his motion to compel Mayor James F. Kenney’s deposition as the ex-worker sues the city for alleged retaliation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Construction company says it didn't make too much money to lose federal funding
PHILADELPHIA - A construction company has called out the U.S. Department of Transportation and related parties for saying the company made too much money.
Lawsuit against Merck over rescinded job offer will continue, though judge hobbled it
PHILADELPHIA - A woman suing a potential employer that rescinded an offer to her because her temporary visa expires in 2020 is allowed to sue for negligent misrepresentation, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania determined July 26.
Lawsuit over downfall of Mt. Gox bitcoin exchange will stay in Philadelphia instead of being transferred to Japan
The U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania refused to dismiss a bitcoin dispute because of lack of jurisdiction July 26.
Pa. federal judge imposes injunction against selling GRISHKO ballet shoes
PHILADELPHIA - On July 25, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania issued a preliminary injunction in a dispute between an international ballet shoe company and its exclusive provider in the United States.
Superior Court backs Volkswagen after widow alleged defective fuel tank caused husband's death
HARRISBURG -- A design defect in a Volkswagen Passat did not cause a man’s death after a fiery and fatal crash, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania affirmed July 19.
Superior Court backs rail company in ongoing injury case
HARRISBURG -- The Superior Court of Pennsylvania on July 19 reversed and remanded a rail company's bid for motion to dismiss back to the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County’s Civil Division.
Commonwealth Court smooths case involving Marcellus Shale Coalition, environmental agencies
HARRISBURG -- The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ironed out July 22 a case between The Marcellus Shale Coalition and its requests against a number of environmental agencies.
Ruling: Arbitration agreement void because visually impaired man did not know what he was signing
HARRISBURG -- A vision-impaired man did not voluntarily sign on to an arbitration agreement with a local nursing home, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania determined July 16 as it affirmed a lower court’s ruling that overruled the nursing home’s objections.
GlaxoSmithKline IT analyst loses retaliation case in federal district court
PHILADELPHIA -- An IT analyst failed to convince the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania that his former employer terminated him because of retaliation. The court granted the company’s motion for summary judgment July 16.
Liberty Mutual wins bid to keep class action in federal district court
PHILADELPHIA -- A class action lawsuit against Liberty Mutual Insurance will remain in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the court decided July 17.