News from May 2017
Controversial Philly wage equity bill caught up in court battle
PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia city ordinance designed to rectify pay gaps between men and women won’t take effect as planned this month.
Kampf pushes for bill targeting 'fraud' in asbestos system
HARRISBURG – Hoping to drum up support for a bill that seeks to reform the way asbestos lawsuits proceed, Rep. Warren Kampf spoke May 9 to a crowd of fellow lawmakers about what he feels is an ongoing fraud in the legal system.
Insurer ordered to pay up in contamination case
&&&HARRISBURG — The cost of contamination damages caused by chemical company Johnson Matthey Inc. will still be paid by the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association Insurance Company now that the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has denied the latter the chance to escape responsibility.
Lansdale-area pharmacy says similarly named drugstore infringed trademark
PHILADELPHIA — A pharmacy is suing Shree Navdurga LLC d/b/a Ramsrx Pharmacy and Ramesh Kommineni, citing alleged unfair competition for adopting a similar trade name and failing to change it.
Mother sues real estate firm, agents claiming kids damaged from exposure to lead paint
PHILADELPHIA — A mother of two minor children is suing Nina J. Goldberg Delia, Bryan Reese and Allegiance Real Estate, alleging violation of federal law for leasing them a home that exposed the minors to lead paint.
Federal judge says ex-managing director alleged plausible defamation claim against former employers
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has denied a motion to dismiss from a series of corporate defendants defending themselves from a count of defamation from its former managing director.
Apple says it's not at fault for iPhone that allegedly exploded in owner's pocket
PHILADELPHIA – Counsel for Apple have categorically denied any liability in a product liability lawsuit filed by a minor plaintiff whose iPhone 5 allegedly exploded in his pocket.
Ruling: Court employees not protected by Whistleblower Law
HARRISBURG - Earlier this year, the state Commonwealth Court ruled that a former juvenile probation officer wasn’t protected by whistleblower laws.
Superior Court gives new life to decade-old lawsuit
PITTSBURGH — The state Superior Court has reversed a Westmoreland County decision that had granted summary judgment to a maker of "belleville washers" in a long-running lawsuit over trade secrets.
District Court did not err in summary judgment ruling for Philly police officers, Third Circuit says
PHILADELPHIA – A lower court did not err when it approved a declaration of summary judgment to a pair of Philadelphia police officers, in a case initiated by a man who said they lacked probable cause to arrest him, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit said.
Woman sues The Hartford for denying her long-term disability benefits
PHILADELPHIA — An Allentown woman is suing The Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company, citing alleged breach of contract for denying her benefits claim.
Woman says she worked over 40 weekly hours for Polk Foundation with no overtime pay
SCRANTON — An hourly employee has filed a class action lawsuit against the Charles P. and Margaret E. Polk Foundation, citing alleged unpaid wages and violation of Workers' Compensation acts.
Retired railroad worker loses appeal alleging negligence by Norfolk Southern, Consolidated Rail
PHILADELPHIA — A lifelong railroad worker won’t be able to hold his employer liable for what he claimed were unsafe working conditions that led to long-term injuries.
Superior Court holds foreclosure case open until deadline issue is resolved
PHILADELPHIA — A lower court will be asked to decide whether an appeal filed in a mortgage foreclosure case was filed within a court-ordered deadline, according to a Pennsylvania Superior Court decision handed down April 24.
Xarelto manufacturers win jury verdict in first federal bellwether trial on drug's potential risk liability
NEW ORLEANS – The manufacturers of blood-thinner drug Xarelto have prevailed in the first federal bellwether trial to determine whether they were responsible for failing to provide a patient's prescribing physician with adequate instructions for the drug's safe use.
Suit claims Alabama scaffolding business owes more than $4 million settlement for injuries
PHILADELPHIA — A Cornwall man is suing an Alabama scaffolding business, alleging breach of contract for failing to pay a settlement to him for injuries he suffered after falling off scaffolding.
Woman alleges negligence, trespassing against CIT Bank
PHILADELPHIA — An individual is suing CIT Bank and Safeguard Properties, citing alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.
Boston Market says Bloomsburg restaurant infringes on trademarks
SCRANTON — A well-known restaurant chain is suing Frank Nashar, Boston Style Chicken and ABC Company, citing alleged copyright infringement and unfair competition.
Exotic dancer files class action against owner of Vanity Grand Cabaret for unpaid wages
PHILADELPHIA — An exotic dancer has filed a class action lawsuit against SRM Enterprises LLC, alleging it failed to pay its performers a regular hourly rate.
Suit claims Prudential wrongly cut off disability benefits
SCRANTON — A Ross Township man is suing The Prudential Insurance Company of America, citing alleged breach of contract for denying his long-term disability claims.