News from 2012
Woods Services faces complaint over firing of maintenance worker
A 66-year-old Langhorne, Pa. man who claims he was unlawfully terminated from his job as a maintenance electrician at a Bucks County agency has filed a federal discrimination complaint against his former employer.
Fired HVAC worker sues former employer over termination
A former HVAC technician is suing the company that employed him for more than a decade, contending that his firing was related to the plaintiff having to take off work due to two separate incidents of knee injuries.
Exterminating co. sued for alleged sexual harassment of former employee
A Pennsylvania woman who claims her brief period of time working for an extermination company was marred by pervasive sexual harassment on the part of her supervisor has filed a federal discrimination complaint against the company and her former boss.
Borough of Eddystone, Pa. sued by two former health inspectors who allege improper compensation
Two former health inspectors for a Southeastern Pennsylvania municipality filed separate civil actions against the borough in federal court March 29, alleging each was improperly compensated.
Bucks County Intermediate Unit faces suit over firing of veteran secretary
A former secretary with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, a regional agency that provides educational services, who was fired after 26 years with the organization has filed a federal complaint against her former employer alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
LA Fitness seeks venue transfer in personal injury case
Attorneys for a national fitness chain have filed court papers requesting the transfer of a personal injury lawsuit from state to federal court.
Suspended medical school student sues National Board of Medical Examiners
A medical student at the University of Illinois at Chicago who was suspended for “irregular behavior” by the Philadelphia-based National Board of Medical Examiners has filed a lawsuit against the agency at federal court in Philadelphia.
State Farm Insurance Co. sues U.S. Postal Service over accident involving motorcycle and mail truck
An auto insurance company has filed a civil complaint against the United States Postal Service over damages to an insured’s motorcycle arising out of a 2010 vehicle accident between the plaintiff’s customer and a mail carrier.
Judge dismisses complaint against U.S. government brought by medical supply company, cites lack of jurisdiction
A federal judge in Philadelphia has granted a motion by the U.S. government to dismiss a complaint brought by a medical equipment supplier involving a contract dispute on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction over the matter.
Former radiology technician sues Abington Memorial Hospital for discrimination
A former radiology technician at Abington Memorial Hospital has filed a wrongful termination suit against the medical institution and the woman who was his direct supervisor, alleging his firing was due to his complaints of age and sex discrimination a year-and-a-half earlier.
U.S. magistrate judge throws out punitive damages claim against man who used cellphone preceding vehicle accident
A federal judge has agreed to dismiss punitive damages claims against a motorist and a car dealership who were sued over allegations that the man’s use of a cell phone while driving constituted a reckless act and caused injury to the plaintiff.
Delaware Riverkeeper Network sues Pa. gun club for sending pollutants into the waterway
An organization tasked with protecting the quality of water in the Delaware River has filed a federal lawsuit against a Pennsylvania sports club, alleging the discharge of pollutants that comes with live pigeon shoots and other recreational shooting events held by the group is harming the waterway.
Pro se inmates can proceed on limited discovery in case against prison system, judge rules
A federal judge in Philadelphia has granted a motion by four prison inmates to proceed on limited discovery in their collective action against the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, which alleges that the agency either denied or delayed them medical treatment.
Sandusky trial pushed back until early June, judge cites 'logistical' issues
The criminal trial against accused child molester Jerry Sandusky will be pushed back by 20 days, the judge presiding over the matter stated in an order released March 29.
Philly police Narcotics Unit captain sues Deputy Commissioner Blackburn over alleged harassment
The captain in charge of the Philadelphia Police Department’s elite Narcotics Unit has filed a federal discrimination complaint against a decorated coworker, alleging, among other things, that the high-ranking commander in the law enforcement agency engaged in a two-and-a-half-year harassment campaign against her.
Commonwealth Court: certain natural gas pipeline records not public
A state appellate court panel reviewing an appeal from a journalist who sought certain records from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has determined that records relating to the safety of natural gas pipelines are not public.
Phila. judge urges appellate court to affirm ruling in security guard slip-and-fall case
A state trial court judge in Philadelphia has asked the appellate court panel hearing a case involving a security guard who slipped on a patch of ice while patrolling a Center City parking garage to uphold the court’s earlier ruling that granted summary judgment to the defendants in the case.
Pa. teacher on indefinite suspension sues district for financial hardship
A teacher with the Coatesville Area School District who has been on indefinite suspension since June 2010 has filed a federal lawsuit against the district, contending the district’s failure to schedule timely hearings in her case has caused her financial hardship and emotional strain.
Filing fees have spiked at Complex Litigation Center
Filing fees taken in at Philadelphia's Complex Litigation Center increased more than 1,000 percent between 2008 and 2009, from $420,453 to nearly $4.8 million.
Pa. House's 'Year of the Bible' resolution challenged in federal court
A resolution passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in January declaring 2012 the “Year of the Bible” has drawn criticism from separation-of-church-and-state proponents.