John O'Brien News
Justice Wecht thinks Supreme Court is rewriting state law to benefit asbestos plaintiffs
PITTSBURGH - Asbestos lawsuits keep giving Pennsylvania's highest court the chance to put its own policies in place by ignoring laws passed by the legislature, a Supreme Court justice wrote last week.
Supreme Court: Pa. law can't stop asbestos lawsuits against employers; Two dissent, ruing Tooey
PITTSBURGH - A state workplace injury law that gives employees four years to sue over exposure to dangerous materials doesn't stop plaintiffs with asbestos-related diseases that developed long after that timeframe from going to court.
Judge, jurors wearing Big Bird heads reject the case of the racist Elmo
PHILADELPHIA - A federal judge won't change a jury's finding that Black individuals weren't discriminated against at SeaWorld's Sesame Place Philadelphia, in a case that alleged characters like Elmo ignored them and had jurors wearing a Big Bird head.
Talc lawyers fighting J&J's $9B plan get to grill lawyer holding 1,500 key votes
HOUSTON - A court-ordered deposition of a lawyer next week should produce plenty of fireworks, as he explains why 1,500 of his clients suing Johnson & Johnson changed their minds on whether to accept the company's massive settlement proposal.
Transgender issues in PA: Insurer draws line on care at waist size, lawmaker plans Trump-esque legislation
PHILADELPHIA - In Pennsylvania, a Republican lawmaker plans a bill that finalizes a person's sex at birth, while a major insurance company says gender-affirming procedures targeting waist size are cosmetic and not medically necessary.
'Retire the Raider' now an official club at Twin Valley HS, so district wants ACLU lawsuit dismissed
PHILADELPHIA - A student and the American Civil Liberties Union have no reason to continue suing a Chester County school district now that it has officially recognized a student club dedicated to eliminating its Native American mascot.
Judge: Philadelphia officer right to shoot man who fled into other's home, wouldn't show hands
PHILADELPHIA - The City of Philadelphia has defeated a federal wrongful death lawsuit that says police should have tasered a man instead of shooting him.
Lawsuit: Neighbors gain political power in small town to harass used car dealer
PITTSBURGH - A used auto dealer claims his neighbors amassed political power in a Fayette County town in order to shut his business down.
Pennsylvania faces suit for COVID-era parole of inmate who allegedly later shot two men
PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia parking officer blames the Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections for releasing an inmate during the COVID pandemic who allegedly later shot him in the head, days after shooting a gas station attendant in New York.
Will FTC's case against Meta impact UPMC? Hospital accused of too much power
PITTSBURGH - Workers at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are hoping a recent decision in an antitrust case against Facebook-owner Meta will work to their advantage, as they sue their employer.
Paralyzed teen snowboarder loses case against Shawnee Mountain
SCRANTON - A 1980 law addressing the risks of skiing will keep a Delaware family from blaming Ski Shawnee for the paralysis suffered by a then-16-year-old who struck a light pole while snowboarding.
Jews lose anti-Semitism case against Haverford College; Judge not sure what to make of complaint
PHILADELPHIA - A federal judge has tossed a lawsuit by a group of Jewish students at Haverford College who alleged they faced anti-Semitism on campus.
The great Haitian debate in Charleroi: Vocal critic says First Amendment protects him from lawsuit
WASHINGTON - A Washington County man worried about the influx of Haitians to his hometown is defending his right to speak freely on the matter, as he faces a defamation lawsuit from a Charleroi business owner who has turned to the migrants to staff his operation.
J&J scores talc verdict in Pittsburgh from confused jurors
PITTSBURGH - Johnson & Johnson has avoided a jackpot verdict in Pittsburgh, though jurors there still tried to punish the company for selling Baby Powder.
CFPB accused of overstepping authority in case against Pa. credit card company
PITTSBURGH - A Pennsylvania company accused of selling junk credit cards says a federal consumer protection agency has no case, as it clearly disclosed the terms to those who wished to use them.
Beaver schools to face claim in bullying lawsuit that football coach created danger
PITTSBURGH - A federal judge has mostly dismissed a bullying lawsuit against Beaver Area School District but will let the plaintiff proceed with claims a football coach created a state-created danger.
TikTok sued after phone charger explodes, burns Mercer County youth
PITTSBURGH - TikTok is among defendants blamed for a fire allegedly caused by a portable phone charger and left a Mercer County boy with third-degree burns.
Collier Twp. faces lawsuit after 97-year-old woman dropped in nursing home parking lot
PITTSBURGH - Collier Township and its emergency medical services team are accused of dropping a 97-year-old woman on the ground, causing her pain and suffering before her death.
Class action lawyers target Hershey, claim wrappers contaminated
HARRISBURG - The Hershey Company faces a proposed class action lawsuit that alleges its products contain the controversial chemicals known as PFAS.
Lawsuit: Understaffing at Northumberland County jail led to murder of inmate
WILLIAMSPORT - Northumberland County and the warden of its county jail are facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the estate of a man who died from injuries sustained in an attack.