John O'Brien News
Court strikes $2.5M verdict for fired helicopter pilot, balancing when at-will employees can sue
PITTSBURGH - A helicopter pilot has lost the $2.5 million verdict he scored in Allegheny County, as a state appeals court has found as an at-will employee, he could not pursue a wrongful termination claim.
Bullying lawsuit against Beaver Area schools could be tossed soon
PITTSBURGH - The Beaver Area School District has received good news in a lawsuit over the hazing of an eighth-grade football player who was called names and concussed with a tennis racket.
AG Henry's bid to stop closure of Pyrex plant hits road block
PITTSBURGH - A federal judge won't - for now - block plans that would close a Pyrex plant in Charleroi and eliminate hundreds of jobs.
Hey PA: 5 new cases to know, including a SWAT team shootout and York charter school troubles
The fatal shooting by Philadelphia SWAT officers who say a suspect shot at them first is among five new cases of interest in Pennsylvania, as is a man suing Frontier Airlines after hot water spilled on his crotch.
Plaintiff lawyer penalty coming for not backing theory of liability
SCRANTON - A plaintiff lawyer will have a punishment hanging over his head as he pursues a lawsuit that alleges man was discharged from a senior living facility and sent on a three-hour Uber drive, during which he experienced a medical emergency and later died.
School district pays lawyer $350K after first-graders taught transgender issues
PITTSBURGH - The Mount Lebanon School District will pay more than $350,000 to a lawyer who alleged parents' civil rights were violated when first-graders were taught the concepts of gender dysphoria and transgender transitioning.
Appeal: Parents against lottery for criteria high schools continue fight
PHILADELPHIA - Parents who lost their challenge to how the School District of Philadelphia picks students for "criteria-based" high schools have appealed.
Hey PA: 5 new cases to know, including a Philly fight for abandoned cars
An alleged monopoly in the vehicle-towing market in Philadelphia is among five new cases of interest in Pennsylvania
Saltz Mongeluzzi wins case by ex-paralegal who refused COVID vax
PHILADELPHIA - A former paralegal at a prominent Pennsylvania plaintiffs firm has lost a lawsuit against it, as a federal judge found she was the first one to tell the public she refused the COVID-19 vaccine.
Cops punished for Facebook posts lose lawsuit against Philadelphia
PHILADEPHIA - Philadelphia police officers who got into trouble for what they posted on Facebook have lost their First Amendment lawsuit.
Catholic school beats racism complaint after Black girl's hair cut during class
HARRISBURG - Parents who alleged racism when their daughter's hair was cut during school because a piece of Velcro was stuck in it have possibly lost their lawsuit.
Fudge formula: Company owner's words can't be used against him to reverse trade secrets verdict
PITTSBURGH - A fudge company can't use contradicting testimony to overturn a jury's verdict that it was using another business' trade secrets when making its product.
Dem Pa. AG candidate: Litigation not part of addressing climate change
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The Democrat hoping to replace Michelle Henry as Pennsylvania Attorney General doesn't seem to be willing to push climate change lawsuits against the oil industry, like some local officials have.
Hey PA: 5 new cases to know, including four killed in police chase
A fatal car chase, a creep at Burlington Coat Factory and a neighborhood fracas are among recently filed cases of interest in Pennsylvania.
Lawyers to ask for $175K in Philadelphia Inquirer settlement
PHILADELPHIA - A $525,000 class action privacy settlement with The Philadelphia Inquirer is one step closer to being finalized, as a federal judge has given it preliminary approval.
Judge blocks plan that would help Delaware cash in on dredging of Delaware River
PHILADELPHIA - A federal judge has blocked plans to dredge the Delaware River to accommodate a proposed port in Delaware, finding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers "did not engage in reasoned decision making" when approving the project.
Rape case against travel company moves forward, sort of
WILLIAMSPORT - A federal judge won't let a tour company out of a lawsuit that pins blame on it for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old in a hotel in Spain - yet - but also won't let the girl conduct her deposition remotely.
Lawyers want three times more than they won client in age discrimination case
PITTSBURGH - Lawyers who scored a nearly $80,000 jury verdict in an age discrimination lawsuit now want to be paid three times that amount.
Hey PA: Dog the Bounty Hunter comes to Delco for wild lawsuit over search for missing teen, plus four other new cases
PHILADELPHIA - Online slander, institutional racism and a Philadelphia power-trip are among the accusations in five recently filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania.
Judge won't change how Philadelphia picks students for criteria high schools
PHILADELPHIA - A federal judge has tossed a challenge to changes made by the School District of Philadelphia in 2021 for admissions into so-called "criteria-based" high schools.