News from June 2016
Former housekeeper alleges discrimination
PHILADELPHIA — A former housekeeper is suing Traditions of Hanover and Cathy Heimsoth, employer and company executive director, citing alleged discrimination, failure to uphold Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, and violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Woman says employer violated wage law
PHILADELPHIA — A home health aide has filed a class-action lawsuit against Around the Clock Home Health Care Services, an employer, claiming the company improperly failed to pay her for overtime hours and travel time.
Appeals court overturns Kingston union election results based on threats made by employees
WASHINGTON – Threats made by a nurse in Pennsylvania during a union election recently resulted in a court overturning the election results and providing a stern warning to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Sugar Grove Amish couple win appeal in religious freedom dispute with sewer authority
HARRISBURG – An Amish couple have won an appeal against the Sugar Grove Sewer Authority that will allow them to connect to the township’s sewer system in the way that is least restrictive to their religious beliefs.
Court rejects physician's claims that Pottstown Memorial violated Anti-Kickback and False Claims Act
PHILADELPHIA – The Third Circuit Court of Appeals recently rejected surgeon Alan Cooper's claim that his on-call contract termination by Pottstown Memorial Medical Center (PMMC) violated the Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act.
Judgment of Non Pros rescinded in car crash case, proceedings continue
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia judge rescinded a Judgment of Non Pros ruling he previously issued in a motor vehicle accident case last month, after learning the reason for plaintiff counsel's absence at a pre-trial conference.
Federal court strikes down motion in limine in life insurance case's beneficiary determination
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge denied a man’s motion to preclude a witness from providing testimony in a trial to determine the rightful beneficiary of life insurance, which commenced this week in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Third Circuit: Lehigh County Housing Authority did not discriminate against tenant
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit believed, as did a trial court, that the Lehigh County Housing Authority (LCHA) did not violate the Fair Housing Act (FHA) or Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) when it sent a Bethlehem man notice to leave the premises.
Attorney withdrawal approved, proceedings in daycare injury case to resume in August
PHILADELPHIA – Defense counsel representing a day care facility embroiled in a premises liability lawsuit has been permitted to withdraw from that case, citing a conflict with his client, and activity in the litigation will resume in August.
Woman sues over husband's death in truck-train collision
HARRISBURG — A widow is suing Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Clinton Township, Griffith Company and the estate of Howard E. Martin Jr., deceased, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Woman says employer denied accommodation
HARRISBURG — A woman is suing PNC Bank NA, a subsidiary of The PNC Financial Services Group Inc., an employer, citing alleged disability discrimination and retaliation.
Woman says employer failed to pay overtime
PHILADELPHIA — A woman has filed a class-action lawsuit against Childfirst Services Inc., an employer, claiming the company failed to properly pay overtime wages.
Woman says employer violated overtime wage law
HARRISBURG — A woman has filed a class-action lawsuit against SMG Group LLC, an employer, claiming that as a store manager she was not properly paid for overtime, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Suit claims defective product injured worker
PITTSBURGH — A couple's lawsuit against FMC Technologies Inc., a Texas corporation, cites alleged design defect, liability and product liability.
Man claims telephone harassment by debt collector
PHILADELPHIA — A consumer is suing IC System, a debt collector, citing alleged misrepresentation in debt collection and violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Motorist says negligence led to collision
PHILADELPHIA — A motorist is suing Edward Rentz, MRC Global Inc. and McJunkin Red Man Corporation, two Texas corporations and an employee, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Man says disability benefits improperly denied
PITTSBURGH — A man is suing Life Insurance Company of North America, doing business as Cigna Group Insurance, alleging he was improperly denied long-term disability benefits.
Man says medications harmed him
PHILADELPHIA — A consumer is suing Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Bayer Corporation; Merck & Co. Inc.; Johnson & Johnson; Janssen Research & Development LLC; and Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., citing alleged breach of implied warranty, fraud, negligence, insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries and negligent misrepresentation.
Man sues federal government over injury
HARRISBURG — A man is suing the federal government, saying he was injured due to the actions of a United States Postal Service employee.
Philadelphia court approves plaintiff counsel's request to withdraw from nursing home injury action
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas has approved a plaintiff attorney’s request to withdraw from a nursing home injury action which to date, has yet to proceed to official status as a filed complaint.