News from 2012
Man rear-ended by Greyhound bus sues in state court
A Philadelphia man is suing Harrisburg, Pa.-based Greyhound Lines for injuries he allegedly sustained after being rear-ended by a Greyhound bus in downtown Philadelphia this past fall.
Federal judge to state lawmakers: use 2001 legislative district boundaries
A federal judge in Philadelphia has ruled that state legislative district boundaries that were drawn up in 2001 can be used as the election season moves forward.
Widow of man who became injured in slip-and-fall months before death sues City of Phila.
The widow of a man who died months after becoming injured in a non-related slip-and-fall incident at Philadelphia International Airport has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the deceased man’s estate, claiming she has been left with outstanding medical bills to take care of.
Federal judge recommends immediate release for man who had been acquitted of killing officer
A 76-year-old man who two years ago escaped a murder conviction stemming from the death of a former police officer whom the man shot decades earlier during a botched robbery, leaving the cop paralyzed until his 2007 death, should be immediately released from prison, a federal judge has recommended.
Personal injury firm donates $200,000 to Community Legal Services of Phila.
A Philadelphia-based personal injury law firm has made a sizeable donation to an organization that provides poor city residents with legal counsel in civil cases.
Stairwell fall leads to injury claim against company that operates residential rehab facility
A Chester County, Pa. couple has filed a personal injury lawsuit against a Delaware corporation for injuries the wife, an employee of the company, claims to have sustained after she fell down a set of stairs while working.
Fired healthcare services account manager sues for racial discrimination
A former account manager at a business that provides healthcare services to nursing facilities has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the Bensalem, Pa.-based company, alleging his firing after 13-years of employment was retaliatory in nature.
Prison inmate who fractured spine in sleepwalking episode sues Pa. Dept. of Corrections
A former state prison inmate has filed suit against the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections alleging the fractured spinal column he sustained after falling from his cell bunk during a sleepwalking episode was due to the fact that prison officials ignored his request for ground-level bedding.
Pa. Supreme Court releases opinion in legislative redistricting case
A week after invalidating a legislative redistricting plan for the new decade, the first time such a ruling has occurred since the late 1960s, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court released its majority opinion in the case, stating that it ruled the 2011 Legislative Reapportionment Plan was unconstitutional because it unnecessarily broke up political subdivisions.
Pepper Hamilton hires non-lawyer as new CEO
A new chief executive officer has been named to lead a large Philadelphia-area law firm – and he’s not an attorney.
Bill designed to discourage enactment of municipal gun laws passes Pa. House committee
A bill aimed at deterring localities from enacting their own municipal firearms ordinances by hitting them where it hurts most, their wallets, has passed the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee.
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.