News from November 2016
Comcast hit with class action lawsuit alleging cable company continued to withdraw money from late relative's account
A trustee has filed a class action lawsuit against Comcast Corp. and Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, cable company, citing alleged unfair competition.
Philadelphia prevailing wage law expanded, impact on employers to be determined
Although it is too soon to tell whether a prevailing wage ordinance signed by Mayor Jim Kenney on Oct. 27 will force any affected employers in the city to resort to layoffs, Fisher & Phillips LLP associate Gregory D. Hanscom said it's possible.
Taylor's Bar & Grill alleged to have performed songs without authorization
SCRANTON – A Unityville restaurant is accused of using certain music without a license or authorization.
Individual alleges he was assaulted while at Philadelphia detention center
PHILADELPHIA – An individual alleges that the government failed to protect him from being assaulted while he was detained.
Post office patron alleges she was injured after falling on icy sidewalk
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia woman alleges she was injured because of a sidewalk's icy conditions at a post office.
DNC facing class action from former organizer
PHILADELPHIA – An organizer formerly employed by a political party has filed a class action lawsuit alleging she and others were not paid overtime wages.
Federal judge orders police civil rights action remanded to Philadelphia state court
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has ordered litigation alleging civil rights violations committed by members of the Philadelphia Police Department to be remanded to state court.
Seat belt defense not applicable says state court judge, General Motors denied summary judgment
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia state court judge has rejected the notion that a principal’s disputed use of a seat belt in a wrongful death action is grounds for a granting of summary judgment.
Community Health Systems Group Health Plan seeks reimbursement from woman
HARRISBURG — An insurer is suing Kathy Timberman of Saylorsburg, alleging breach of contract.
UPMC Mercy, others accused of negligence in connection with intraoperative burns
PITTSBURGH — A patient is suing Vonda Wright, M.D.; University of Pittsburgh Physicians; UPMC Mercy; UPMC Mercy South Side Outpatient Center; and UPMC Health System, alleging negligence in medical care.
Man claims Unum wrongly denied disability benefits
PITTSBURGH — A man is suing Unum, an insurance firm, alleging breach of contract.
Composite Cooling Solutions accused of breaching contract
PHILADELPHIA — A heating and air conditioning company is suing Composite Cooling Solutions L.P., a Pennsylvania business, citing alleged breach of contract.
Lawrenceville Borough Authority accused of violating wage laws
HARRISBURG — Three employees are suing Lawrenceville Borough Authority, alleging that the water and sewer services provider violated wage laws.
Litigation funding contract held invalid by Pennsylvania court
HARRISBURG – In WFIC LLC v Labarre, a three-judge Superior Court panel in September ruled that a complex funding contract was invalid because it met the definition
of champerty, which means to invest in litigation with the promise of future
proceeds.
Attorney: Liquor Control Board opinion not consumer-friendly
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board in October issued a legal advisory opinion about the ability of breweries, wineries and distilleries to purchase and sell limited winery and distillery products carried in state stores and whether they may be eligible for wholesale discount.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejects part of law allowing grandparents to seek custody in separation
HARRISBURG – A Sept. 9 Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that declared a statute allowing grandparents to seek partial custody of the children of separated parents unconstitutional figures to have a significant impact on grandparents’ custody rights.
Voters OK increase in judicial mandatory retirement age
HARRISBURG – After a protracted legal battle regarding the proper wording of a ballot question related to the mandatory retirement age for judges in Pennsylvania, voters in the commonwealth narrowly passed an increase in the retirement age to 75 from 70.
Merck accused of failing to disclose side effects of vaccine
PHILADELPHIA — An engaged couple's lawsuit against Merck & Co. Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. alleges failure to warn, negligent misrepresentation and product liability.
Berger Real Estate Investment accused of violating laws
PHILADELPHIA — A former employee is suing Berger Real Estate Investment Inc. and Arnold Berger, alleging that the employers violated wage laws and wrongfully terminated him.
Progressive Vision Institute accused of breaching contract
HARRISBURG — A New York corporation is suing Salomon Lao, M.D., and Shann Lin, M.D., individually and d/b/a Progressive Vision Institute, citing alleged breach of contract.