News from February 2016
Federal court denies award of total disability benefits to Federal Express employee
PHILADELPHIA – Aetna Life Insurance Company recently won a motion for summary judgment in federal court, versus a Federal Express employee who filed suit to challenge the denial of his long-term total disability benefits.
Third Circuit dismisses fraudulent investment claims from former Major Leaguer Jaret Wright
PHILADELPHIA – A former Major League Baseball pitcher who sued his financial advisors for allegedly making fraudulent investments and lost motions on his case in federal court, has had those dismissals upheld.
Federal court finds former restaurant owners not liable for illegal boxing match broadcast
PHILADELPHIA – A federal court has ruled a pair of former restaurant owners cannot be held liable for the illegal exhibition of a televised boxing match at their former establishment nearly four years ago.
Former science company sales rep's breach of contract and defamation claims will proceed
PHILADELPHIA – A former sales representative for a science company who alleges her employer breached the terms of a settlement with her will have two of her three claims proceed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Federal judge rules summary judgment "inappropriate" on both sides of trade claim conversion suit
PHILADELPHIA – A federal court has denied motions for summary judgment on both sides of a lawsuit alleging conversion of bankruptcy trade claims.
Third Circuit Court rules former Dollar Tree assistant manager's work environment not hostile
PHILADELPHIA – A federal appeals court has affirmed a verdict denying a claim of unlawful employment discrimination towards a former Dollar Tree assistant manager.
Federal judge's ruling a victory for AG Kane in a 'preliminary skirmish'
A federal judge has rejected a motion to dismiss a racketeering case brought by Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane and a private law firm involving high-interest rate, short-term loans made to Pennsylvania citizens over the Internet.
Couple alleges US Airways negligence caused plane crash
PHILADELPHIA — A Delaware County couple is suing US Airways, alleging a pilot's medication caused a plane crash.
Injured Florida woman blames Philadelphia hospitals for fall
PHILADELPHIA — A Florida woman is suing two Philadelphia hospitals and the city, alleging negligence after she she slipped and fell.
St. Clair couple accuses Donegal Insurance of breach of contract in auto crash
HARRISBURG — A St. Clair couple is suing a Marietta insurance company, alleging their insurance provider failed to provide benefits or compensation following a car crash.
Former hospital worker blames Pennsylvania department for closure of health facility
HARRISBURG – A former hospital employee is suing a Pennsylvania state department, alleging inadequate legal representation in the closing of a state hospital.
Third Circuit upholds dismissal of Philly firefighter's libel suit against New York Daily News
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has ruled in line with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in upholding the dismissal of a libel lawsuit brought by a Philadelphia firefighter against the New York Daily News nearly one year ago.
Philadelphia School District not liable for discrimination against fired janitor, federal court finds
PHILADELPHIA – An African-American high school janitor was not fired from his duties on the basis of racial discrimination by the School District of Philadelphia, a federal court has ruled.
Commonwealth Court quashes condo association's appeal over Mercer County Sheriff's sale
HARRISBURG – A Shenango Township condominium group’s attempt to overturn a Mercer County Court of Common Pleas order connected to a Sheriff’s sale of property in its complex has been denied, per the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
Fired worker alleges Nobel Learning terminated her due to race
PHILADELPHIA — A former employee is suing a West Chester education business, alleging discrimination because she says her termination was due to race.
Couple injured in DWI accident state valid bad faith claim against insurance provider
PHILADELPHIA – A major insurance provider may have acted in bad faith when it denied coverage to a couple who were injured when their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver over five years ago, a federal judge ruled last Thursday.
Former employee accuses health care groups of sexual harassment
PHILADELPHIA — A former employee is suing two health care groups, alleging she was sexually harassed in the workplace.
Worker blames Bluff Manufacturing for injuries on the job
PHILADELPHIA — An employee is suing his former company, alleging negligence for injuries he says he suffered on the job.
Maintenance worker alleges Holiday Inn fired him for taking medical leave
PHILADELPHIA — A former employee is suing Holiday Inn, alleging he was terminated from his job following a request to take a medical leave.
Attorney: Companies should prepare for potential minimum wage hike
Small businesses in Pennsylvania and their customers would be among the most affected by a boost in the state's minimum wage, a Scranton attorney who represents business clients and employers says.