Nicholas Malfitano News
One officer dismissed from Black Pitcairn business owner's discrimination and harassment suit
PITTSBURGH – A federal judge has approved one officer’s attempt to be dismissed from litigation brought by a Pitcairn business owner who claimed she was targeted for racial discrimination, harassment, code violations and false prosecution by local authorities after publicly criticizing the police’s perceived use of violence on Black citizens on social media.
Pittsburgh law firm continues to pursue recovery of $108K from client of four decades
PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh law firm stands by claims that one of its longtime commercial clients has breached its contract between the parties after control of the client business changed hands, leaving them in arrears for legal payments of more than $108,000.
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Pittsburgh cops continue pursuing summary judgment, in suit of woman arrested after denying support for former President Trump
PITTSBURGH – Two Pittsburgh police officers continue to maintain that they should be granted summary judgment, in a lawsuit brought by a woman who alleged she was unlawfully arrested because she didn’t support former President Donald Trump.
Defense says woman who fell in Borgata casino contributed to her own injuries
PHILADELPHIA – Marina District Development Company argues that a woman who slipped on the floor of the Borgata casino in Atlantic City, N.J. contributed to her injuries through her own negligence.
Jeweler alleges Israeli attorney and social media influencer defrauded him of $90K
PITTSBURGH – A California man claims that he was defrauded of $90,000 he paid to an Israeli lawyer and jewelry company founder, under the pretense that they were to form a professional and potentially romantic partnership.
Judge tells plaintiffs in class action suit against Geisinger Health to specify discovery criteria
WILLIAMSPORT – A federal judge has sustained discovery objections from Geisinger Health and ordered plaintiffs to identify the job categories that fall within the definition of “Healthcare Workers” – in a class action lawsuit against the company and Evangelical Community Hospital, which claimed the Pennsylvania hospitals engaged in a secret “no-poach agreement” that suppressed professional mobility and salaries in Central Pennsylvania.
Injury suit filed after ladder fall loses several Amazon-based defendants
PITTSBURGH – Several Amazon defendants have been dismissed from federal litigation brought by a Western Pennsylvania couple against both the company and the manufacturer of a ladder they claim was defective, subsequent to the wife-plaintiff suffering serious injuries after falling from the ladder while conducting an insurance estimate at a home in Erie.
Claims against health care company dismissed from Allison Park woman's wrongful death suit
PITTSBURGH – All claims against one health care company have been dismissed from litigation alleging that an Allison Park plaintiff’s mother was the recipient of sub-standard care at her nursing facility, leading her to suffer a fall that caused a cut on her head, a broken neck and a broken hip, which caused severe pain and led to her death.
Supermarket says man suing it over his refusal to wear a mask didn't exhaust administrative remedies
PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania supermarket counters litigation from a local man with a chronic lung condition, a suit alleging it violated the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act when it turned him away for his decision not to wear a mask while shopping in June 2020, by arguing he failed to exhaust his administrative remedies.
Pa. House Judiciary Committee Chair introduces constitutional amendment to establish civil case venue
HARRISBURG – The Chairman of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Judiciary Committee has introduced legislation to amend Pennsylvania’s constitution to prohibit venue shopping in medical liability cases, a potential game-changer for civil litigation statewide if it were to be passed.
Meadville man hit by tractor-trailer and wife motion for new trial, after losing initial jury verdict
ERIE – A federal court jury has ruled that an Ohio trucking firm and one of its drivers acted fully without negligence after a Meadville man was run over by his tractor-trailer, but the plaintiffs have already motioned for a new trial on the basis of the jury being given improper instructions as to the charges being considered.
Counsel for man attacked by goat says defense counsel has not provided discovery evidence
LANCASTER – A Delaware man allegedly attacked by a goat is seeking to procure needed discovery evidence from the defendant, evidence which his attorney claims has gone unobtained, despite numerous requests to opposing counsel.
Non-denominational church ready to settle with Pa. state officials it had said won't recognize marriages it officiated
PITTSBURGH – A non-denominational religious group is ready to settle federal claims it made that a Pennsylvania law was allegedly used by state officials to declare that it may not solemnize legal marriages in the Commonwealth.
Parents suing Phila. Schools over allegedly racist admissions policies, now seek injunction
PHILADELPHIA – A trio of Philadelphia parents who brought a class action lawsuit against the School District of Philadelphia and numerous officials in its employ, charging that their children were denied admission to criteria-based schools due to the District’s allegedly discriminatory policies centered on race, are now seeking an injunction to prevent such policies from continuing to be enforced.
Judge orders Phila. to provide discovery documents in class action suit over towing relocation program
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has concurred with plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit versus the City of Philadelphia over claims that its vehicle towing relocation program both fails to abide by due process and provide adequate notice or fair procedures for owners to locate and recover their vehicles after they have been moved, ordering the City to comply with the plaintiffs’ discovery requests.
Islamic woman who sued pizza parlor after allegedly being served pork, loses case in arbitration
MEDIA – After an arbitration session, a plaintiff of the Islamic faith has lost her case against a Delaware County pizza restaurant, which she alleged sent her an order of food containing pork, which her religion prevents her from consuming.
Inmate's excessive force litigation against SCI-Rockview officers results in settlement
WILLIAMSPORT – A settlement has been reached in excessive force litigation brought by a prisoner currently in state custody against a number of corrections officials at SCI-Rockview.
Woman who fell on hospital carpet says document filing isn't necessary in her negligence case
PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania woman who alleged she suffered serious injuries when her walker caught on a hospital’s floor carpet and she fell and who is now facing the possibility of a judgment of non pros in her case argues that filing a certificate of merit is not necessary.
Darby man sues online news outlet for defamation, after it claimed he was arrested for murder
MEDIA – A local man has sued online news provider Patch and one of its reporters, claiming the defendants defamed him in an article which claimed both he and his mother were arrested for a fatal shooting in June 2021, when in fact they were arrested for unrelated offenses.
Judge dismisses fatal asbestos exposure claims against Eckel Industries, for lack of causation
PITTSBURGH – A federal judge has granted summary judgment to a company that employed a woman's husband at various naval shipyards over an 18-year period, finding that her 2020 death from mesothelioma and subsequent asbestos exposure claims failed due to a lack of causation.