News from October 2011
Parents of prison inmate who hanged himself sue Northampton County, Pa.
The parents of a prison inmate who committed suicide by hanging himself with a bed sheet has filed a federal civil rights claim against the Pennsylvania county in which the deceased man was incarcerated and various other officials involved with his care.
Psychiatrist sues Philadelphia mental health facility over breach of contract
A New Jersey man who was contracted to provide psychiatric services to a Philadelphia mental health facility, and who claims he was let go in violation of his contract, has filed a federal complaint against the organization and two of its directors.
Makers of 'Crab Fries' sue for trademark infringement
A Delaware company that makes and distributes a trademarked brand of seasoned French fries to a popular Philadelphia restaurant and bar has filed a federal infringement claim against a Maryland eatery, claiming the defendant has fraudulently marketed the plaintiff’s product at its own restaurant.
Philly 'open carry' case ends with not guilty verdict; civil rights claim expected to follow
A Montgomery County, Pa. man who plans to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against Philadelphia police stemming from an incident that occurred last winter has cleared a major hurdle in his fight against alleged police abuse and ignorance.
Pa. couple sues Whirlpool and Daewoo over house fire
A Sharon Hill, Pa. couple who alleges a residential fire was started by a faulty microwave has filed a federal product liability lawsuit against the maker and distributor of the household appliance.
Fired Philly Police lieutenant files wrongful termination complaint
A former Philadelphia police lieutenant who claims the city fired him after more than four decades of employment after a doctor determined job-related injuries would be enough to prevent him from carrying out his professional duties has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia.
Peco Energy Co. sued over electrical burns caused by exposed power line
A man who claims he suffered electrical shocks and burns after coming into contact with an exposed power line has filed a personal injury lawsuit against the public utility in charge of overseeing the line.
FedEx worker sues over broken ankle at icy airport terminal
A FedEx worker who claims his broken ankle requiring the placement of 11 surgical screws and a metal plate was a direct result of his fall at Philadelphia International Airport is suing those responsible for the terminal buildings where the alleged incident occurred two winters ago.
Philadelphia Housing Authority resident sues movers for damaged possessions
A Philadelphia public housing resident who was briefly evicted from her home earlier this year is suing the moving company that was hired by the city to remove her property from her residence.
Hip replacement surgical implant leads to suit against Johnson & Johnson
A York, Pa. man who claims that he sustained injuries after having a double hip replacement is suing the manufacturers of the surgically implanted product, alleging that its faulty nature caused him great harm.
Fractured ankle leads to premises liability complaint
A Philadelphia woman who claims to have sustained a fractured ankle following a slip-and-fall incident on supposedly unprotected marble stairs at a Center City, Philadelphia property has filed a complaint against the property owner in civil court.
Former mental health facility counselor files claim over lost job
A woman who was fired from her job at an area mental health facility has filed a federal complaint against her former employer, alleging that the company failed to inform her that her medical leave that she had to take was used up by the time she was scheduled to return to work.
Steel products company files breach of contract claim against law firm
An Ohio steel products company that claims it got stuck with an outstanding bill after a contractor it employed for a job went bankrupt, has filed a federal complaint against a Philadelphia law firm whose services the plaintiff initially retained in order to recoup the money it was owed by the now-defunct company.
Police beating victim who sustained fractured ankle sues city and cops
A Philadelphia man who claims he sustained a fractured ankle and lacerations following an assault perpetrated by city cops has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia and the officers involved in the alleged attack.
Study: Philly courts courting plaintiffs from outside city
A newly released academic study by a law school professor asserts that Philadelphia’s civil court system is attractive to plaintiff’s from outside of the city – at the expense of local consumers and businesses.
Fired paralegal files sexual harassment claim against Philly law firm
A New Jersey woman who worked as a paralegal for a Philadelphia law firm has filed a federal discrimination complaint against her former employer, alleging she endured frequent incidents of sexual harassment while at the job.
Settlement reached in case of substitute teacher vs. Lower Merion School District
A federal lawsuit against the Lower Merion School District alleging discrimination on the part of a former long-term substitute teacher has been settled.
Federal judge dismisses discrimination lawsuit against Lower Merion School District
A federal judge in Philadelphia last week dismissed a racial discrimination lawsuit against a wealthy suburban school district, four years after the civil action was first filed by six African American families who alleged bias in class placement.
Family of deceased federal prison inmate awarded $750,000 in wrongful death claim
The estate of a man who died while incarcerated at a federal detention center in central Pennsylvania has secured a $750,000 settlement in their lawsuit against the U.S. government, lawyers for the family of the deceased man announced late last week.
ATRA: Pass Pa. forum-shopping reform
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The American Tort Reform Association is throwing its support behind a Pennsylvania bill that it says will address forum-shopping in personal injury lawsuits.