News from March 2016
Suit targets health system, seminary over alleged secret agreement
PHILADELPHIA — A New Jersey resident is suing not-for-profit health system and a not-for-profit seminary for alleged breach of fiduciary duties through a joint venture relationship.
Metro PCS sued by Philadelphia wireless retailer on claim of racketeering
PHILADELPHIA – Metro PCS is being sued by a wireless retailer in Philadelphia over an alleged conspiracy by the retail giant to obstruct or delay interstate commerce by extortion to obtain its assets.
'Gasland' verdict, $4.2M, extremely disappointing for defendants, attorney says
SCRANTON - A federal jury's decision to award $4.2 million to two families featured in the Emmy Award-winning documentary "Gasland" was fueled by publicity, a New York City attorney says.
Lawsuit against Bloomsburg not rare, but might include 'novel' issue, attorney says
HARRISBURG - Lawsuits filed by professors who allege discrimination on the part of their employer aren't uncommon, as a recent suit against Bloomsburg University shows, the former lawyer for the American Association for University Professor says.
Pa. companies apprehensive about upward pressure on wages
HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision last week to sign an executive order raising the minimum wage for state workers and those who work for state contractors raises expectations for boosting the minimum wage for all workers statewide, but employer representatives fear unintended financial consequences of such a move.
Using app to secretly record conversation a violation of wiretapping law, state SC rules
HARRISBURG - A February ruling from the state Supreme Court confronted how existing laws apply to new technology, as the court ruled that using a cell phone app to secretly record a conversation is a violation of a wiretapping law.
Federal court rejects summary judgment motion in mortgage personal injury case
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge ruled that a motion for summary judgment as to a charge of breach of contract/good faith and fair dealing in a personal injury action would not prevail.
Philadelphia Taxi Association files antitrust lawsuit versus Uber
PHILADELPHIA – The Horsham-based Philadelphia Taxi Association, comprising a number of area cab and limousine companies, has filed an antitrust lawsuit against San Francisco-based Uber Technologies, Inc.
Globus Medical won't be deposed in Texas-based patent infringement lawsuit
PHILADELPHIA – An Audubon-based medical device manufacturer will not be forced to provide documents or give deposition testimony in a patent infringement lawsuit originating in federal court in Texas.
Summary judgment granted to Harrah's, Pennsylvania state troopers in civil rights case
PHILADELPHIA – On Monday, a Bala Cynwyd man lost a case of alleged civil rights violations he filed against Harrah’s Philadelphia and two Pennsylvania State Police officers in federal court, through a pair of summary judgment orders levied against him.
Philly fire captain not retaliated or discriminated against, federal court says
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has ruled a city Fire Captain was not denied a promotion to Fire Battalion Chief due to retaliation for filing an earlier lawsuit and grievance, or for racial discrimination.
Statute of limitations bars FDCPA-related complaint against N.J. law firms
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has ruled a plaintiff missed the statute of limitations associated with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) in filing a lawsuit against Roseland, N.J., law firms and an attorney.
Lycoming County court rules in favor of meat company, farms through Right To Farm Act
WILLIAMSPORT – A recent ruling in the Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas has resulted in another victory for parties arguing certain agricultural activities are protected under Pennsylvania’s Right To Farm Act (RTFA).
Employee seeks co-ownership of patents from former employer
PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh resident is suing his former employer, alleging unjust enrichment, conversion and declaration of ownership surrounding the ownership of patent applications during his employment.
Insurance company sues to try to get out of paying a claim
NEW CASTLE, Pa. – An insurance company is suing a New Castle furniture company in an effort to not pay out a claim the business has levied against one of its clients.
Former employee of Wawa seeking benefits after termination
PHILADELPHIA — A former store employee and stockowner is suing his former employer, Wawa Inc., for alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
Management, owners of a Newtown Square apartment building sued over slip and fall at the structure’s parking lot
PHILADELPHIA – An Arizona woman is suing an apartment company, claiming she was hurt in a slip and fall.
Woman claims slip-and-fall injuries at Wal-Mart store
PHILADELPHIA – A woman is suing Wal-Mart over an alleged slip and fall at one of the retail giant’s stores in Philadelphia, where she claims she suffered various severe and permanent bodily injuries.
Altoona-based builder of automatic fire suppression systems faces negligence claim
ALTOONA – An Altoona-based builder of automatic fire suppression systems is being sued by an insurance company over a claim of negligence and breach of implied warranty.
Union says firm has fallen short in pension plan contributions
PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh-based union is suing a construction company over a claim that it is not contributing to an employee pension fund, resulting in an estimated delinquency of more than $70,000.