News from 2012
Parents sue over planned closing of North Phila. elementary school
A number of parents and a healthcare workers’ union have filed a federal lawsuit against the School District of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Department of Education seeking to prevent a neighborhood elementary school in North Philadelphia from being shuttered as part of a widespread school-closing plan.
Fired case manager supervisor at Phila. mental health clinic sues for retaliatory discharge
A former case manager supervisor for Philadelphia’s Community Council for Mental Health and Mental Retardation has filed a wrongful termination complaint against the agency, claiming he was fired in retaliation for raising concerns about fraudulent billings by case manager subordinates.
Phila. jury renders $6.4 million plaintiffs' verdict in medical malpractice, wrongful death case
A Philadelphia jury last week rendered a $6.4 million plaintiffs’ verdict in a medical
Bain Capital named as defendant in 'slip-and-fall' suit filed by Phila. couple
Bain Capital, the private investment and financial services firm that has become a
Insurance co. not required to indemnify Sandusky for potential damages arising out of sex-abuse case, judge rules
A federal judge in Harrisburg has partially ruled in favor of an insurance company seeking declaratory judgment that it does not have to indemnify Jerry Sandusky for potential damages that may arise out of child sex-abuse allegations against the former Penn State University assistant football coach.
Widow of U.S. Forest Service employee who died in plane crash sues aircraft maintainers
The widow of a U.S. Forest Service employee who died back in June 2010 when the small plane he and two other Department of Agriculture workers were in crashed in north-central Pennsylvania has filed a wrongful death claim against those charged with maintaining the aircraft.
Phila. law firm to receive social justice award during upcoming annual gala
The Philadelphia law firm that joined with the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania in filing a federal complaint against the city and its mayor over a controversial outdoor homeless feeding ban will be honored at the end of the month for its work toward social justice by an area organization dedicated to the same.
ACLU of Pa. files suit over Phila.'s outdoor homeless feeding ban
Philadelphia’s recently enacted ban on feeding the homeless in public is now the subject of litigation, after the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania on June 5 filed a federal complaint against the city and Mayor Michael Nutter challenging the constitutionality of the controversial measure.
Residents of condo complex that flooded file class action suit against property manager
A class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of tenants of a downtown Philadelphia high-rise residential complex that flooded after water piping in the building burst.
Parents who lost full-term baby in utero sue doctors, healthcare facilities
A couple who lost their unborn child in utero when the wife was at full-term pregnancy has filed a wrongful death claim against various healthcare providers, alleging the defendants didn’t do enough to properly protect the fetus.
Product liability litigation initiated in state court by injured baker must remain in federal court, judge rules
A federal judge sitting in Philadelphia has denied a motion by the plaintiffs in a product liability case to remand the litigation to state court due to what the plaintiffs argued were technical deficiencies in the defendants’ removal notice.
Former State Sen. Jane Orie, sister of indicted Supreme Court justice Orie Melvin, sentenced
The sister of indicted Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin was sentenced to 2-1/2 to 10 years in prison Monday by a trial court judge in Allegheny County for a variety of white-collar crimes.
Alleged Sandusky victims cannot use pseudonyms during trial, judge rules
The day before jury selection was set to begin in the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse trial, the judge overseeing the case ruled that some of the former assistant football coach’s accusers cannot testify under pseudonyms.
Merit selection issue, at the forefront following Pa. Supreme Court justice indictment, is put on hold
Judicial reform advocates in Pennsylvania rallying behind a potential change in the state constitution that would alter the way judges are selected will have to wait a little while longer for action after a state House committee recently postponed a vote on a merit selection bill.
Mental health clinic sued over alleged sexual harassment by therapist on patient
A Philadelphia mental health clinic and one of its employees are facing a lawsuit by a patient who claims the therapist sexually assaulted the plaintiff while the woman was being treated for mental stress related to a rape incident.
Woman allegedly burned by lotion sues CVS and Express Pharmacy Services of Pa.
A Philadelphia woman has filed a product liability lawsuit against CVS of Pennsylvania and Express Pharmacy Services of PA for injuries she allegedly sustained after using a prescription lotion manufactured and sold by the defendants.
Pa. Chief Justice praises Commonwealth Court for handling of election cases
The leader of Pennsylvania’s highest judiciary had kind words for the state’s lower tier appellate court late last week, praising the appeals judges for handling an “unprecedented” number of election cases during this past primary election season.
Northeastern Pa. man files asbestos claim in Philly courts
A Northeastern Pennsylvania man who was diagnosed with lung cancer nearly two years ago, a disease he attributes to his asbestos exposure during his working years, has filed a mass tort civil action against manufacturers of products containing the fiber.
Cleaning services firm faces retaliatory firing complaint by woman who complained of sexual harassment
A woman who claims she was fired from her job of merely three weeks at a company that provides cleaning services in retaliation for reporting incidents of alleged sexual harassment has filed a civil action against the firm in state court.
'Scalping' incident leads to personal injury claim against Lowes Home Centers
A Bucks County man who claims he was “scalped” after a heavy steel door fell on top of his head at a local Lowes retailer has sued the home improvement store in state court.