News from June 2016
Attorney seeks car crash case sent to Lehigh County, claims stricken
PHILADELPHIA – A defense attorney in a motor vehicle accident case has requested the court transfer the litigation to Lehigh County court and strike accusations of reckless conduct and requests for punitive damages therein.
Judge overrules preliminary objections in case against Weis Market, snow removal firm
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia judge has overruled objections made by defense counsel connected to a setting of improper venue, in a premises liability lawsuit filed against a major local grocery chain and its snow removal company.
Third Circuit: Repo company didn't violate law even though loan was usurious
PHILADELPHIA — A U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on a case involving the repossession of a car leaves questions unanswered about whether such actions might violate state or federal law, but makes clear that it’s not a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to do so.
Recent state SC decision focused on law rarely seen in litigation
HARRISBURG — Court cases that involve a provision of the Commonwealth’s education law known as the Transfer Between Entities Act are relatively rare, according to a lawyer with years of experience representing school districts.
Parents sue federal government in death of newborn
HARRISBURG — A couple's lawsuit against the federal government alleges negligence and wrongful death in connection with the death of their newborn child.
Lebanon residents accuse Boscov's of disability discrimination
PHILADELPHIA — A married couple's lawsuit against Boscov's Inc., a retail store operator, cites alleged disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, retaliation and wrongful termination.
Man claims age discrimination by former employer
PHILADELPHIA — An former assistant manager is suing Lowe's Home Centers LLC, citing alleged age discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.
Woman claims sexual harassment in church employment
PITTSBURGH — A facilitator is suing The Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie and St. Joseph Parish, citing alleged hostile work environment, sexual harassment and constructive termination.
Woman claims driver from Bucks County was negligent
PHILADELPHIA — A woman is suing a Bucks County resident, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Former jail captain sues county, warden for alleged discrimination
PITTSBURGH — A former jail captain is suing Allegheny County, the Allegheny County Jail and jail warden Orlando Harper, his former employers, citing alleged disability discrimination, retaliation and wrongful or constructive termination.
Design construction consultant claims racial discrimination
PHILADELPHIA — A design construction consultant is suing Peco Energy, an energy services company, citing alleged racial discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.
Florida woman seeks disability benefits
PITTSBURGH — An former Exam Works employee is suing Life Insurance Company of North America, claiming she has been improperly denied disability benefits.
Man hurt in crash says insurer owes him disability benefits
PHILADELPHIA — A former company foreman is suing Life Insurance Company of America, saying the company improperly denied his long-term disability benefits.
Wal-Mart accused of sexual discrimination, harassment
PHILADELPHIA — A sales associate has filed a class-action lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores East LP, a retail store chain, citing alleged retaliation, sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination.
Company owner accuses insurers of breaching contract
PHILADELPHIA — A company owner is suing Liberty Bankers Life Insurance Company, its CEO Bradford Phillips, and Continental Life Insurance Company, citing alleged breach of contract.
Texas resident accuses trucker, company of negligence
PITTSBURGH — A man from Katy, Texas, is suing Ward Trucking LLC and Ronald H. Whisman, tractor-trailer owner and driver, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Financial institutions will continue litigation over data breaches, attorney says
ERIE — A payment card issuer that’s suing Wendy’s for costs associated with a data breach that began in October argues that the fast-food chain’s tardiness in transitioning to new payment technology makes it liable.
FTC temporarily halts pending hospital merger
PHILADELPHIA — Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit granted the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) request for an injunction pending its appeal in the proposed merger between Pinnacle Health System and Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
Union president having 'crisis of confidence' over governor's signing of Pa. liquor modernization bill
HARRISBURG – A union local president said he was perplexed that Pennsylvania's governor earlier this week signed a Republican-sponsored liquor reform bill to allow beer and wine sales in state-licensed grocery stores, restaurants and hotels into law.
Safeguards in place, but risk exists with compounded drugs
LEECHBURG – The practice of mixing patient-specific medicines has been around for a long time, but only in recent years has it become big business. The president of the Compounding Pharmacists of Western Pennsylvania warns that the practice is not without risks, however.