News from 2012
Rite Aid sued by Muslim woman for discriminatory firing
A Chester County, Pa. woman who claims her wearing of an Islamic head covering and her Muslim faith in general led to her eventual firing from Rite Aid Corp. has filed a federal job discrimination complaint against the company.
DUI arrestee sues Phila. and police officer for false arrest related to faulty Breathalyzer reading
A motorist who claims he was arrested for, and subsequently convicted of, driving under the influence of alcohol is suing the City of Philadelphia and the officer who took him into custody, blaming a faulty machine for improperly calculating his blood-alcohol level at the time he was arrested.
Second Mile sued for return of former board member's donations
A former board member of the Second Mile, the charitable organization designed to help disadvantaged youth that was founded by former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who faces child sex abuse charges, has filed a lawsuit against the organization, seeking the return of donations that were to be used to build a recreation center that will no longer come to fruition.
Phila. agrees to settle with animal rights activist arrested for protesting in 2009
An animal rights activist who claims he was illegally picked up by police for distributing fliers outside of a Philadelphia grocery outlet will receive $15,000 from the city to settle his claims, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania announced Tuesday.
Federal judge dismisses suit against Pa. magisterial district judge
A federal judge in Philadelphia has granted a local judge’s motion to have a complaint against him by two property owners dismissed.
Commonwealth Court rules in favor of newspaper, reporter in case involving school district emails
A state appellate court has ordered a school district in Northeastern Pennsylvania to release board members’ email messages, a request that had been made by a local newspaper reporter.
Attorney Dan McCaffery ends race for Pa. Attorney General
Soon after Republican state Sen. John Rafferty announced he was exiting the race for state attorney general, a Democratic candidate followed suit with the same news.
Pa. Supreme Court rejects legislative redistricting plan
In an unprecedented move, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Wednesday struck down as unconstitutional a legislative redistricting plan that had caused a bipartisan uproar, with Democrats accusing Republicans, who control both legislative chambers, of cutting up districts to suit their own political agendas.
Business groups in favor of change to Philly courts
The business community would like Philadelphia's courts to make permanent the suspension of mass tort cases that are tried using a process that determines damages first and liability second.
Philadelphians sue over damage to homes caused by school construction
Three Philadelphia residents have filed separate civil actions in state court against the Philadelphia Board of Education and one of the school district’s contractors, alleging their respective properties were damaged during the construction of a new school building six years ago.
Phila. banquet venue hit with personal injury claim
A Philadelphia woman who claims she suffered a broken wrist after falling down while dancing during a downtown wedding reception has filed a personal injury claim against the venue.
Class action filed against Bally's and LA Fitness over lifetime membership promise
A Philadelphia man has filed a class action lawsuit against LA Fitness, alleging the company, which last year purchased Bally Total Fitness, has refused to honor lifetime memberships held by former Bally’s members.
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.