News from December 2015
Fired Pizza Hut servers awarded nearly $200K in federal court
PHILADELPHIA – A pair of former Pizza Hut employees who claim they were fired due to their age have been awarded damages totaling nearly $200,000 by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Federal court says former Jefferson Hospital nurse not terminated by discrimination
A former emergency room nurse at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital who alleged she was fired due to her age, has had those same allegations refuted in federal court.
$500K Allstate indemnification case headed to compulsory arbitration
A complaint brought against Allstate Insurance Company for alleged lack of indemnification for $500,000 in damages is headed to arbitration instead of back to state court, per the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Former rehab facility nurse's discrimination claims dismissed
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has dismissed civil rights claims made by a licensed practical nurse against the hospital where he was formerly employed, as both precluded and time-barred.
Third Circuit Court rules Philly woman ineligible for deceased son's life insurance benefits
PHILADELPHIA – On Dec. 23, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld a trial court ruling both denying life insurance benefits to the mother of a deceased Philadelphia man, and the ability to further amend her claim.
Commonwealth Court rules former Tullytown council candidates can depose borough employees
Tullytown Borough’s attempt to obtain a protective order to prevent deposition of borough employees has been turned back at both the trial court and appellate levels.
Third Circuit denies appeal of Indian couple claiming discrimination by East Pennsboro Township
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit have upheld a trial court ruling against a Camp Hill couple, who claim the municipality of East Pennsboro discriminated against them based on their ethnicity and religious beliefs.
Race discrimination, retaliation claims from former Philly cop proceed
Per a federal court, a former Philadelphia police officer’s claims of libel and slander against the City, Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and former colleagues have been dismissed, but his other claims of race discrimination and retaliation remain.
Third Circuit: Attorney didn't mislead Asian man into racial discrimination settlement
PHILADELPHIA – On Dec. 1, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a trial court ruling to enforce a settlement between a former Asian employee of Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith and the company, in a civil rights discrimination case.
Third Circuit Appeals Court cites "gist of the action" doctrine in barring case's tort claims
PHILADELPHIA – Per the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, a communications firm’s bid to overturn a trial court’s dismissal of fraud, misrepresentation and civil conspiracy claims against an employee group of its former client has failed.
Discrimination and retaliation claims against IBEW will not receive new trial
PHILADELPHIA – On Dec. 15, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled to deny a new trial to a woman who filed both federal and state race and gender discrimination claims, plus retaliation claims against her former employer.
Claim against HP for $700K in sales commissions rejected by Third Circuit
PHILADELPHIA – A federal appeals court has thrown out a breach of contract claim for over $700,000 in alleged unpaid sales commissions from a former Hewlett-Packard (HP) sales operative.
Nurse sues Wilkes Barre General Hospital, claims she was forced to admit herself to psychiatric hospital to keep job
SCRANTON – A Dallas, Pennsylvania woman is suing her employer after she claims she was forced to admit herself into a psychiatric hospital in order to keep her job.
Registered nurse sues Omni Home Care over claims she was terminated for not complying with illegal procedures
SCRANTON – A registered nurse is suing her employer over claims she was terminated for reporting allegedly illegal activity.
Brandywine Construction sued after man falls on icy sidewalk
PHILADELPHIA – A Kings County, New York man is suing a construction company following an incident in which he fell and was injured.
Couple sues neighbor after tree damages property, alleges negligence
PHILADELPHIA – A Morrisville couple is suing their neighbor after he allegedly damaged their house while cutting down a tree.
Plaintiffs claim Aeropostale's website violates the ADA
PITTSBURGH – A visually impaired man and woman are suing Aeropostale Inc. alleging that the company's website is inaccessible to visually impaired customers.
Ritz-Craft Corp. of Pennsylvania seeks declaratory judgment in dispute with business client
SCRANTON – A Pennsylvania-based construction company is suing its business client and is seeking a declaratory judgment.
Husband sues Simpson House alleging negligence in the death of his wife
PHILADELPHIA – A New Jersey man is suing a health care agency over claims that its inadequate care was the cause of his wife's death.
Woman sues Community Recycling over allegations of wrongful termination
PHILADELPHIA – A woman is suing her former employer after she claims she was terminated because of her disability.