News from January 2012
DRPA cops sued for cracking open skull of active duty Army member
An active-duty member of the U.S. military is suing the Delaware River Port Authority of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and four of its police officers, alleging the patrolmen used excessive force when they split open the plaintiff’s head with their police batons during an incident in early 2010.
Levittown, Pa. woman files denture adhesive cream mass tort claim
A Levittown, Pa. woman who alleges she sustained various physical injuries because she used denture adhesive cream for a number of years has filed a mass tort claim against companies involved in the manufacture and sale of the product.
Boeing pays $4M for overbilling DOD
PHILADELPHIA -- The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced January 20 that The Boeing Company will pay the United States nearly $4.4 million and make several procedural changes to resolve an overbilling of the Department of Defense for work at its Ridley Park facility.
Virginia man acquitted in Philly self-defense shooting in 2010 sued by victim; case may test Pa. Castle Doctrine law
One year ago, Gerald Ung was acquitted of attempted murder during a jury trial at Philadelphia Common Pleas Court.
Famous Dave's hit with class action for allegedly levying extra liquor tax
A Philadelphia man has filed a class action lawsuit against the Famous Dave’s restaurant franchise, alleging the business has been engaging in fraud when it has charged an 18 percent tax on alcoholic beverages it serves to customers.
Parent of student with 'Brittle Bone Disease' sues Philly School Dist. for injuries
The parent of a Philadelphia School District student afflicted with the condition commonly known as “Brittle Bone Disease” has filed a federal lawsuit against the educational institution, accusing the district of negligence in a classroom incident in which her son fractured numerous bones.
Commonwealth Court overturns Pa. Labor Relations Board decision; rules paramedics are firefighters under state law
A state appellate court ruled Jan. 18 that paramedics with the Philadelphia Fire Department are indeed considered firefighters under state law, and can be members of the local union representing firefighters.
Lamar Advertising files suit in western Pa. over Pittsburgh's billboard ordinance
A company billed as one of the nation’s largest billboard advertisers has filed a lawsuit against the City of Pittsburgh in state court in western Pennsylvania, contending the municipality’s ordinance restricting the size and scope of billboards unfairly punishes the outdoor advertising industry.
N.J. pastor files suit in Phila. claiming local news station defamed him
A South Jersey pastor has filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania court against the local CBS affiliate and a handful of station employees for allegedly slandering his name in a case stemming from a broadcast news report of child sexual abuse at the hands of a former church volunteer.
Phila. woman's motion to have injury case retried and remanded to state court denied by federal judge
A federal judge in Philadelphia has rejected a city woman’s plea to have her civil case stemming from a shopping-related injury retried and remanded back to state court.
Cozen O'Connor attorney takes job as first general counsel for footwear apparel company
An intellectual property attorney at a large Philadelphia law firm has announced he is leaving his position for a gig with a former client.
Woman who claims cop shot Taser into her breast sues police and municipalities
A 27-year-old Philadelphia woman who alleges she was roughed up by a suburban police officer after a night out with friends two years ago has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the cop and others involved in the alleged incident.
Summary judgment granted to U.S. Postal Service in case involving Nationwide Insurance
A federal judge in Philadelphia has granted summary judgment to the United States government in a case in which a motorist and her insurance carrier had sued following an automobile accident with a U.S. Postal Service vehicle.
Phila. judge affirms summary judgment for defendants in case of union sued by former workers
A Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judge has affirmed an earlier decision by the court to grant summary judgment to a bridge and ironworkers’ union which claimed that a settlement agreement in a case where workers alleged they were deprived of job opportunities and earnings based on race, was not accepted in a timely manner.
Torts conference set for Feb. 8 in Philly
PHILADELPHIA -- An organization called Mass Torts Made Perfect will conduct a plaintiff's only seminar Feb. 8 in Philadelphia titled“Actos and Pelvic Mesh Litigation Update."
Pittsburgh man files class action against Enterprise Rent-A-Car
A western Pennsylvania man has filed a class action lawsuit against Enterprise Rent-A-Car, alleging the Missouri-based company is violating Pennsylvania law, and the laws of three other states, when it levies an additional charge on customers who accidentally damage rental vehicles.
Judge orders Pa. to release $3.2 million in education funding to Chester Upland School District
A federal judge in Philadelphia has ruled that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must immediately release education subsidies to the tune of $3.2 million to the beleaguered Chester Upland School District in suburban Philadelphia.
Phila.-based Dechert LLP opens new Germany office
Philadelphia-based law firm Dechert LLP, which has a significant national and global presence, announced Tuesday that it has increased its international operations with the opening of an office in Frankfurt, Germany.
Pa. Supreme Court to air first live oral argument on cable access TV
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court announced that it will air its first live oral argument on local cable access television next week.
DUI charges reinstated against Pa. lawmaker
A Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judge has reinstated drunken driving charges against a Philadelphia-area lawmaker, more than two months after a lower court judge dismissed the charges against the legislator.