News from February 2012
Partial civil immunity granted to disgraced judge in 'Kids for Cash' case
A federal judge in central Pennsylvania has partially granted and partially denied a motion by disgraced former Luzerne County judge Mark Ciavarella to dismiss a lawsuit against him by a juvenile who was caught up in the judicial corruption case known as “Kids for Cash.”
Federal judge dismisses lawyer's suit against United, US Airways; Lawsuit sought damages over airlines' decision to cancel flight in blizzard
A federal judge in Philadelphia has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Narberth, Pa. lawyer and his wife against two major airlines for allegedly causing financial hardship and interrupting travel plans they canceled flights due to inclement weather.
Two new concussion lawsuits filed against NFL
Two new concussion lawsuits have been filed in federal court in Philadelphia against the National Football League, the recent civil actions coming on the heels of a federal judicial panel ruling that the multi-state litigation can be consolidated at the southeastern Pennsylvania venue.
Study shows plaintiff bias in Philly courts
For years defendants in tort cases have said that Philadelphia's courts are biased, but little in the way of empirical data was available to substantiate the claims.
Appeals panel upholds federal judge's dismissal of whistleblower suit by former state police trooper
A federal appeals court has upheld a ruling by a lower court judge in a case in which a retired Pennsylvania State Police lieutenant had claimed he was demoted in retaliation for investigating claims of sexual harassment by a local district judge against a well-respected member of the state police.
Federal appeals court rules against local anti-abortion protester
The Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Feb. 2 affirmed a federal judge’s ruling that an anti-abortion protester arrested for failing to move to another spot within Independence National Historical Park five years ago cannot collect civil damages from two park rangers who the man claimed violated his rights when they detained him near the Liberty Bell.
The appeals panel ruling ends a fight by Delaware C
Latino voters sue Commonwealth over legislative reapportionment plan
Three Latino voters have filed a federal lawsuit against the secretary of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the 2011 Legislative Reapportionment Commission seeking a court order to ensure the defendants will enact a new legislative redistricting plan in time for the upcoming election season.
Roxy's Cafe owner sues Pa. Health Secretary for blocking contract awarding
The mid-state diner owner once embroiled in a highly publicized spat with Pennsylvania’s top health official has filed a lawsuit against the cabinet-level official accusing him of trying to prevent the plaintiff from winning a state contract.
Pa. House Speaker files suit against secretary of state over reapportionment plan
The speaker of Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the secretary of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeking to have legislative districts that were drawn up in 2001 declared unconstitutional and therefore unusable.
Former inmate whose police brutality suit was dismissed can move forward with amended complaint, judge rules
A former county prison inmate in Northeastern Pennsylvania who claims a civil rights lawsuit he had filed involving alleged police brutality was dismissed in court because his lawyer couldn’t locate him has won the right to re-file the complaint.
Penn State's insurance co. files for declaratory relief; says university not entitled to coverage in abuse claim
A Blue Bell, Pa.-based insurance company has filed for declaratory relief against Pennsylvania State University relating to a case in which a purported victim of accused child molester Jerry Sandusky filed a civil suit against the former assistant football coach in state court.
Phila. School Dist. files removal notice to federal court in case involving lawsuit over student shooting
Lawyers for the Philadelphia School District have filed a removal notice in federal court in Philadelphia in which they seek to transfer a complaint that was filed against it late last month in state court to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Philly man with 44 arrests and no convictions receives long federal prison sentence
What do 44 arrests for violent crimes such as armed robberies get you in Philadelphia?
Prosecutors in Sandusky case file motion seeking out-of-county jurors
Prosecutors working the upcoming child molestation trial of former Pennsylvania State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky have requested that out-of-county jurors be chosen to decide Sandusky’s fate, citing the enormous publicity surrounding the case.
Natural Lands Trust sued over alleged discriminatory firing
A Delaware County, Pa. woman who claims she was laid off from her job as an event planner for Media, Pa.-based Natural Lands Trust Inc. shortly after her superiors became aware of a medical condition with which she was diagnosed has filed a lawsuit against her former employer in federal court.
Pa. SC won't meddle with Philly forum-shopping
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will not intervene in the Philadelphia courts system, which a pharmaceutical company says is actively encouraging out-of-state lawsuits.
Federal judicial panel rules NFL concussion litigation can be centralized in Phila. federal court
A federal judicial panel has OK’d a motion by the National Football League to consolidate four injury lawsuits against it at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Bevilacqua dies in sleep; Judge had ruled he could testify at upcoming priest sex abuse trial
Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, the retired head of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and who was expected to testify in an upcoming priest sex abuse case, died in his sleep on Tuesday night, according to local news reports.
Quaker City courts have troubled history; some reject 'plaintiff-friendly' criticism
Pennsylvania is known as the Quaker State and Philadelphia as the Quaker City because both were founded by William Penn, who was a member of the Society of Friends - also called Quakers.
Phila. catering business faces wrongful termination complaint
A Philadelphia man who claims he was fired from his job of more than four years for reasons related to his mental and physical health has filed a complaint against former employer in federal court.