News from November 2011
Healthcare agency faces discrimination and wrongful termination claim
A Philadelphia man who worked for a local healthcare agency as a housekeeper for five years, the last two of which were spent as a full-time employee, has filed a federal complaint against his former employer, alleging he was fired for discriminatory and retaliatory reasons.
Police officer's motion to dismiss excessive force claim against him denied by judge
A federal judge in Philadelphia has denied a municipal police officer’s motion to dismiss a claim of excessive force against him by a man who the officer had arrested during a prior incident, and who himself is the subject of separate litigation initiated by the officer and municipal officials.
Pa. Attorney General reaches agreement with art show promoter who reneged on exhibit space
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General announced late last week that it has reached an agreement with a Southeastern Pennsylvania man who allegedly promoted art exhibit space for various art shows throughout the United States and Canada, but later failed to provide the space to those promised customers.
$3 million work comp award could be highest in nation
A Philadelphia law firm obtained a record $3 million workers’ compensation settlement last week, on behalf of a union construction worker injured on a highway construction project.
Discrimination claim filed against social services agency
A woman who was laid off from her job of 12 years as a quality assurance director for a social services and community-based heath agency has filed a complaint against her former employer, alleging that her firing was related to her age, race and sex.
Philly judge named as replacement for the late Albert Sheppard in Commerce Court
A Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judge has been assigned to take over any outstanding cases in the civil trial division’s Commerce Court Program that were being handled by the late Judge Albert W. Sheppard.
Sunoco hit with wrongful termination complaint
A Norristown, Pa. man who claims he was discriminated against and subsequently wrongfully terminated from his job at an area gas station is suing his former employer in federal court.
Guilty plea entered in Harrisburg development scandal
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced earlier this week that David R. Dodd, II, 43, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court in Harrisburg to misappropriating funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and to money laundering.
Grand jury indicts Chadds Ford man in NHL copyright case
A grand jury indicted a Chadds Ford, Pa. man, Michael Moore, 44, for copyright infringement of broadcasts of National Hockey League games, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Lawyers defending Pa. Convention Center in civil suit file motion to dismiss
Lawyers for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority have filed a motion seeking to dismiss a lawsuit that was initiated last month by former Chief Financial Officer Madeline Apollo, who alleges she was wrongfully terminated from her position.
Judge dismisses as a defendant a towing agency named in property damage civil suit
A federal judge has dismissed as a defendant a towing company that was named in a lawsuit by a dump truck operator who alleges claims of property damage and lost earnings due to an incident that occurred last summer.
Former CHOP general counsel who created fraudulent legal invoices sentenced to four years in prison
The bowtie-clad, former general counsel to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who pleaded guilty in federal court this summer to stealing $1.7 million from the area healthcare facility, was sentenced Wednesday to 48 months in prison, according to local media reports.
Summary judgment granted in case of former employee claiming termination due to alcoholism
A Delaware County, Pa. school specializing in rehabilitative services for delinquent youngsters that was being sued by a former employee who alleged the school’s failure to accommodate his alcoholism, and subsequent firing of him because of the disease, was a violation of his rights, has been granted summary judgment by a federal judge.
Two new Avandia mass tort claims filed in Phila. courts
A Pennsylvania attorney has filed two separate Avandia mass tort claims at Philadelphia’s Common Pleas Court, just as the main defendant in the case is apparently getting ready to close out much of the existing litigation involving the drug that is designed to control diabetes.
Fired Pa. Department of Public Welfare workers file wrongful termination claim
Three Philadelphia women who allege they were unlawfully terminated from their respective positions with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare have filed a civil action against the state agency and its acting secretary.
N.J. man files asbestos mass tort claim in Phila. courts
A New Jersey man who was diagnosed with lung cancer last summer has filed a mass tort complaint in Pennsylvania state court against companies that deal in the manufacture and production of asbestos-related products.
Toys 'R' Us faces personal injury claim over door-closing incident
A Philadelphia woman who claims she suffered serious arm injuries after a door closed on her at a local toy store has filed a civil complaint against the business and its parent company.
New judge assigned to preside over Sandusky preliminary hearing
A new judge has been assigned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to preside over the preliminary hearing of former Pennsylvania State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who is accused of sexually abusing children.
Attorney: 'Sovereign Immunity' most likely won't shield Penn State from civil claims in child sex-abuse scandal
In the wake of the Pennsylvania State University child sex-abuse scandal, questions loom over whether or not the school, as a state-supported higher learning institution, can face civil litigation.
Judge grants summary judgment for police officers sued over man's injuries after vehicle pursuit
A federal judge in Philadelphia has granted summary judgment to two suburban Pennsylvania police officers who were named as defendants in a civil suit brought by a man who claims he became paralyzed after the vehicle in which he was riding as a passenger collided with a car being driven by a suspected drunk driver.