News from 2011
York County, Pa. Common Pleas Court judge collapses at courthouse, later dies
A Common Pleas Court judge from York County, Pa., who was credited with being the first black jurist on the county bench, died Monday shortly after collapsing outside of the county courthouse, according to news reports.
Philly man sues city and police officers for retaliatory arrest
A Philadelphia man who alleges he was wrongfully arrested last year for what he claims was exercising his right to free speech during a traffic stop in the city is suing the police officers who he came into contact with on that day.
Pa. Attorney General's Office appealing Phila. judge's dismissal of DUI case against legislator
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office announced that it is appealing a Philadelphia judge’s decision to dismiss a drunken driving case against a state legislator.
Ticket-collector sues Amtrak over trip-and-fall incident on train
An Amtrak ticket-collector who claims she suffered physical injuries after tripping over overflow luggage while she was navigating the aisles of a train last winter is suing the transit agency in federal court.
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.