News from 2012
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.
Wells Fargo hit with job discrimination lawsuit
A former banker with Wells Fargo who claims he was fired from his job in retaliation for speaking out against a manager’s alleged hostility toward him has filed a federal job discrimination lawsuit against the San Francisco-based banking giant.
Former Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission investigator cannot move forward with suit, judge rules
A former investigator for Philadelphia’s Police Advisory Commission cannot move forward with his claims that he was forced out of his job because he referred an individual to a member of the press, a federal judge in Philadelphia has ruled.
Manayunk Brewing Co. hit with racial discrimination complaint
A black man who claims he was subject to constant harassment for the six years he worked for the Manayunk Brewing Company in Northwest Philadelphia has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the bar-restaurant.
Collision on 'Nitro Racer' basis for injury claim against Seaworld
A Philadelphia couple has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Seaworld and an amusement park operated by the recreation giant, alleging their son sustained serious physical injuries, including head trauma, after he collided with his father during a ride aboard a water slide.
Former Drexel employee sues university for discrimination and retaliatory discharge
A black professor who was hired in January 2010 to work as a project coordinator at Drexel University’s PA Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence, and was terminated from her position three months later, is suing her former employer in federal court, alleging she was fired in retaliation for speaking out against racially discriminatory treatment she allegedly received while on the job.
Judge allows suit by former juvenile detention center counselor to proceed
A former employee of a Philadelphia youth detention center can move forward with his claims that the city failed to offer him the COBRA health insurance extension following his termination, a federal judge has ruled.
Judge in Phila. orders lawsuit against bus company transferred to Florida
A U.S. District judge in Philadelphia has ruled that a Pennsylvania woman’s lawsuit against a Florida bus company must play out in federal court in the Sunshine State.
Former dietary worker sues over failure to transfer position to new company
A woman who claims her job position was eliminated while she was out on pregnancy leave has filed a federal job discrimination lawsuit against her former company.
Phila. man sues city and police officer for alleged rough handling during detainment
A Philadelphia man who claims he sustained wrist and knee injuries at the hands of overly aggressive city police officers has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the cops in federal court.