Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Recent News About Pennsylvania Supreme Court
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Defense bar, product manufacturers oppose suggested jury instructions in product liability litigation
PHILADELPHIA – Are suggested jury instructions in products liability cases now too amenable towards plaintiffs? A sizable group of manufacturers and members of the Pennsylvania defense bar are likely to say, “Yes.” -
Philadelphia teacher's reinstatement serves as reminder for schools to follow termination laws
PHILADELPHIA – A recent Commonwealth Court ruling that reinstated a Philadelphia teacher stands as a clear reminder to school districts of the importance of following the proper employee termination laws and procedures. -
Ruling adds uncertainty for contractors working for governments
HARRISBURG — It will be more difficult for contractors in Pennsylvania to collect payments and legal fees from local and state government agencies withholding payment in bad faith after a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision. -
Pennsylvania Supreme Court to review franchisor as possible statutory employer
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear a workers' compensation case to decide if a franchisor is liable as a statutory employer for injuries sustained by a franchisee employee. -
Unknowns surround ballot question on judges' retirement age as deadlines loom
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will consider on an emergency basis a lawsuit challenging the language to be used in a ballot question regarding the mandatory retirement age for judges in the state. -
Justice Thomas not on board with majority's ruling in case of Pa. man sentenced to death
WASHINGTON – Dissent in a capital murder case, in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that prosecutors can't judge actions they've prosecuted, is as instructive as the majority ruling, an expert in said during a recent interview. -
Third Circuit: Repo company didn't violate law even though loan was usurious
PHILADELPHIA — A U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on a case involving the repossession of a car leaves questions unanswered about whether such actions might violate state or federal law, but makes clear that it’s not a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to do so. -
Advocate hopes Supreme Court ruling shows agencies the importance of transparency
HARRISBURG — A recent decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that forces the state Public Utility Commission to release documents after a nearly three-year battle was not only correct, but also will hopefully make other agencies more likely to release documents without a court battle, the former executive director of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records said. -
Superior Court disallows class action lawsuit in data breach
The Pennsylvania Superior Court recently upheld a lower court decision to reject class-action certification in a data breach case for a lack of ascertainable loss, but plaintiffs are not without recourse if the data loss leads to identify theft. -
Employers should maintain strong policies following $188M Wal-Mart decision
Pennsylvania employers need to be wary of their procedures in light of a U.S. Supreme Court decision earlier this month not to review an appeal in a $187.6 million Wal-Mart class action case, say two attorneys who've blogged about the case. -
Similar issue led to rejection of Wal-Mart's $188M appeal, attorney says
Timing likely played its part in the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to not hear an appeal in a $187.6 million Pennsylvania class action case involving Wal-Mart, an attorney representing the class says. -
Many in gas and oil industry relieved high court did not overturn estoppel by deed, attorney says
Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry recently breathed a sigh of relief after the state Supreme Court unanimously reaffirmed the long-standing "estoppel by deed," or rule of after-acquired title, a Pittsburgh industry attorney who wasn't surprised by the ruling says. -
Using app to secretly record conversation a violation of wiretapping law, state SC rules
HARRISBURG - A February ruling from the state Supreme Court confronted how existing laws apply to new technology, as the court ruled that using a cell phone app to secretly record a conversation is a violation of a wiretapping law. -
Third Circuit: Snow is 'obvious' hazard
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has ruled in line with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in determining snow to be an “obvious” hazard which caused a yard jockey to fall and become injured. -
State Supreme Court affirms $122K judgment to nurse fired for not working overtime
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has affirmed a six-figure judgment to a nurse who claimed she was terminated for not agreeing to work overtime. -
Attorney: Pa. SC upholding noncompete contracts regulations ‘clearly makes exception’ in law
Last month, the state Supreme Court upheld the state’s strict regulations that limit an employer’s ability to prevent an employee from working for its competition. -
Professor: State Senate could and should remove AG Kane from office
A professor at Duquesne University says state Attorney General Kathleen Kane is likely collecting a paycheck while not being able to perform the duties of her office while her law license is suspended, and that the state Senate has the authority to remove her from office. -
Punitive damages barred in nearly 1,500 Risperdal cases at Philadelphia CLC
Last month, Judge Arnold New, Supervising Judge in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Trial Division, released an opinion explaining why punitive damages are barred in nearly all of the 1,500 Risperdal mass tort claims filed in the court's Complex Litigation Center, holding that cases must subscribe to the laws of the states in which the alleged punitive conduct actually occurs. -
Court reform group upset with Democratic group's ads targeting state Supreme Court candidates
A committee chaired by the former chair of the state Democratic Party, Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform (PJR), has recently sponsored ads against the three Republican candidates campaigning for the three open seats in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. -
Legal ethics expert weighs in on Kane case
On Sept. 21, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an order temporarily suspending Attorney General Kathleen Kane's law license for allegedly leaking confidential information, and committing perjury and false swearing before a statewide investigative grand jury.