News from November 2016
Lisnr CEO says class action over Indianapolis Colts app 'just a really bad lawsuit'
PITTSBURGH – The chief executive officer of Lisnr Inc., one of three parties along with Indianapolis Colts Inc. and Yinzcam Inc. named as defendants in a class-action lawsuit claiming that a mobile app can listen in on the user’s conversations without consent, said the lawsuit contains a lot of false information.
Whistleblower to get $124,000 in Lehigh Valley health care fraud case
PHILADELPHIA – The whistleblower in a health care fraud case against some doctors and medical facilities in Lehigh Valley is set to receive approximately $124,000, following a settlement agreement reached with the federal government worth almost $700,000.
Attorney: Merck win over 'whistleblower' a sensible ruling and valuable precedent
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of Merck & Co. on Oct. 18 in a lawsuit alleging the company violated securities laws and retaliated against a whistleblower.
Art Institute of Pittsburgh employees' discrimination claims allowed to go to court
PITTSBURGH – Two Education Management Corp. employees have been given the green light to sue their employer in court because they opposed a policy requiring that disputes be sent to binding arbitration.
Devereux Pocono Center accused of negligence in death of resident
PHILADELPHIA — A mother of a disabled child is suing The Devereux Foundation, d/b/a Devereux Pocono Center, alleging negligence in residential care.
Accutech Testing & Balancing accused of not making labor contributions
HARRISBURG — Labor funds are suing Accutech Testing & Balancing LLC, citing alleged breach of contract.
Delaware City Refinery accused of not paying for work
PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania corporation is suing Delaware City Refinery LLC, a Delaware business, citing alleged breach of contract.
PPL Services Corporation accused of violating worker's right to medical leave
PHILADELPHIA — An employee has filed a class action lawsuit against PPL Services Corporation, her employer, citing alleged violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
TransUnion, Experian, Bank of America accused of misrepresentation
PHILADELPHIA — A man is suing TransUnion LLC, Experian Information Solutions Inc. and Bank of America Corporation, citing alleged defamation and negligent misrepresentation in consumer credit reporting.
Attorney: Bill increasing police body cams shouldn't limit access to records
HARRISBURG – The state Legislature will need to walk a fine line in a controversial measure that would have more police officers wear body cams but would sharply reduce public access to the resulting video, a government transparency expert says.
Pa. McDonald's franchises facing possibly more than $1M after paying employees with debit cards
WILKES-BARRE – A recent Pennsylvania Superior Court ruling
related to the practice of paying employees with debit cards by 16 McDonald’s franchisees
in the Commonwealth could mean a payday of more than $1 million for thousands
of current and former employees at those restaurants.
'Product hopping' by drug manufacturers at heart of multi-state suit filed in Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA – Companies trying to avoid pharmaceutical patent restrictions are increasingly resorting to a practice called “product hopping,” wherein the dug company makes non-medical changes to stifle competition, though it runs the risk of inviting litigation.
Federal courts have no jurisdiction in disability discrimination case against U.S. Postal Service
PHILADELPHIA – An appellate judge wrote Nov. 4 that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit does not have jurisdiction in a disability discrimination case filed against the U.S. Postal Service that dates back to the 1990s.
Pa. Republican Party files lawsuit claiming poll watching residency requirement violates state, federal law
PHILADELPHIA – In advance of Election Day, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania has filed legal action against the Secretary of the Commonwealth, arguing a clause in the Commonwealth’s Election Code regarding “poll watchers” violates both the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions.
Magistrate Judge provides for partial award of fees in prior contractual complaint
PHILADELPHIA – Per judicial order, a former employee and seller of Abington Pain Medicine received full financial awards relating to court costs and pre-judgment interest, though not her full amount of requested attorney’s fees.
Plaintiff's lawsuit against Strayer University deemed not substantive and dismissed
PHILADELPHIA – An appellate court said a former Strayer University student did not have substantive proof to continue his litigation against the educational institution.
Appeals court upholds ruling dismissing breach of contract, bad faith claims against Nationwide
PHILADELPHIA – An appeals court recently determined that breach of contract and bad faith claims against Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company were without merit.
Dismissal of due process violations upheld by Third Circuit in sheriff's sale case
PHILADELPHIA – A federal appeals court affirmed a trial court ruling stating a former homeowner's constitutional rights were not violated when his residence was sold to other persons through a sheriff's sale auction.
Man alleges credit bureaus have confused his report with another man of same name
PHILADELPHIA – A Maryland consumer alleges that credit bureaus have been reporting inaccurate information regarding his credit history.
Union alleges more than $175,000 was unlawfully transferred from account
ERIE – A union alleges money was unlawfully transferred from its account.