News from April 2017
Hershey's legal defense: Plaintiff is disbarred attorney looking for targets
LOS ANGELES - Hershey’s is defending a class action lawsuit by attacking the motives of the plaintiff – a disbarred attorney who has filed hundreds of lawsuits and wrote a how-to-sue book.
Federal court dismisses Scranton law firm's suit versus JPMorgan Chase Bank, pending final settlement
HARRISBURG – A Pennsylvania federal judge ruled to dismiss a Scranton law firm’s contract litigation against JPMorgan Chase Bank without prejudice, pending the finalization of a settlement which counsel says is already agreed to in principle.
U.S. government ordered to pay half of Temple University Hospital's $8 million birth injury lawsuit settlement
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. government is responsible for half the cost of an $8 million settlement in a birth injury lawsuit involving Temple University Hospital, says a federal judge.
Judge overrules plaintiff objections in fatal tree removal accident lawsuit
PHILADELPHIA – A state court judge has overruled preliminary objections filed by a plaintiff who says a group of companies designed and sold equipment that was responsible for her late husband’s fatal accident during his tree removal job.
SilcoTek says competitor infringed on materials patent
PITTSBURGH — A Pennsylvania company specializing in coating of materials is suing Advanced Materials Components Express LLC, a nearby competitor, citing alleged patent infringement.
The Hartford denied rightful insurance benefits, man's suit alleges
PITTSBURGH — A man is suing The Hartford, an insurance company, citing alleged breach of contract for denying disability benefits he says he's entitled to.
Xodus Medical says California firm wrongly accused it of patent infringement
PITTSBURGH — A Pennsylvania corporation is suing Dupaco Inc., claiming it wrongly accused it of patent infringement regarding a medical device.
Veterinarian says McMurray animal hospital wrongfully fired him, withheld severance
PITTSBURGH — A veterinarian is suing University Veterinary Specialists LLC, and owners Anthony Horbal and Apryle Horbal, citing alleged breach of contract, unpaid wages, violation of state law and wrongful termination.
Complaint alleges LINA wrongly terminated disability benefits
PITTSBURGH — A Monessen man is suing Life Insurance Company of North America, citing alleged breach of contract for discontinuing his disability benefits.
Motorist reinstates complaint against Uber driver and parent company for injury-related liability
PHILADELPHIA – Counsel for a Philadelphia motorist suing an Uber driver and the ride-hailing company for injuries she says she suffered in an automobile accident in the city last summer, are seeking to reinstate the issuance of the complaint.
Loan servicing company did not violate TCPA in trying to collect college class payments
HARRISBURG – A federal judge has decided that a loan servicing company did not violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in its attempt to collect on an education loan-related debt from one of its customers.
Allegheny judge dismisses first count of woman's lawsuit against former employer
PITTSBURGH — A Pennsylvania court ruled to dismiss one of two counts of a woman’s complaint for damages due to alleged work-related abuse.
Court says PHRC can review racial discrimination case brought by former student against Chestnut Hill College
HARRISBURG — The Commonwealth Court recently ruled that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission has the right to review a racial discrimination case filed against a Catholic college.
Field worker says Killion and Sons Well Service denied overtime pay
PITTSBURGH — A field employee is suing Killion and Sons Well Service Inc., an oil-field services company, citing alleged unpaid wages for lack of overtime pay.
Chevron claims former employee took trade information before resigning
PITTSBURGH — Chevron is suing Brian Lipinski, a former employee, citing breach of contract for allegedly taking large amounts of confidential and trade information before resigning to join a competitor.
Illinois company says Kraft Heinz misused trade information regarding food packaging
PITTSBURGH — An Illinois food-packaging corporation is suing Kraft Heinz Foods Company and The Kraft Heinz Company, citing breach of contract for allegedly distributing trade secrets to its competition.
Hypoallergenic pillow the subject of patent-infringement dispute
PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh-area textile manufacturer is suing Hollander Sleep Products LLC, a Florida corporation, alleging that the defendant wrongly accused it of patent infringement.
Superior Court affirms medical malpractice win for defendants
PHILADELPHIA – The Superior Court recently ruled in favor of defendants Chestnut Hill Hospital, Tri-County Emergency Physicians and many of its associates in an appeal filed by Ellesia Blaque of a trial court decision clearing the healthcare provider of medical malpractice.
Commonwealth Court issues rulings in lawsuit over exposed Philadelphia trolley track
PHILADELPHIA — The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has reversed some decisions of a trial court regarding the case of a Philadelphia man who sustained injuries when his motor scooter struck an exposed and discontinued trolley track in 2013.
Retiree claims union failed to keep record of employment, denied pension
PHILADELPHIA — A retiree from the newspaper industry is suing Teamsters Local Union No. 1414, Newspaper and Magazine Employees Union, citing alleged breach of contract for denying his pension.