News from June 2018
Third Circuit says Boyertown's transgender students can use restrooms corresponding to gender identity
PHILADELPHIA – A federal appellate court recently ruled that transgender students in Boyertown schools may continue to use the restroom facilities corresponding to their gender identity, marking a key victory for the LGBT advocacy community and a defeat for their ideological opponents.
Customers claim WhisperKOOL unit could not hold proper temperature
PITTSBURGH — Two consumers are suing WhisperKOOL Corp., citing alleged fraud and deceit.
Mother, son blame Southwood Psychiatric Hospital for attack
PITTSBURGH — A mother and her minor child are suing Southwood Psychiatric Hospital, citing alleged breach of duty and gross negligence.
Valley View School District, field designer named in wrongful death suit
SCRANTON — A bereaved family is suing Valley View School District, Highland Associates Architecture Interior Design, S.G. Mastriani Co. and S.G. Mastriani Construction Management Inc., citing alleged negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress and wrongful death.
Daughter blames The Belvedere Center for mother's traumatic head injury
MEDIA — A woman, through her daughter and legal guardian, is suing assisted living and related health services facilities The Belvedere Center, Genesis Healthcare Inc, Genesis Healthcare LLC and 2507 Chestnut Street Operations LLC, citing alleged professional negligence.
Guardians say Secretary of Human Services violated Medicaid provisions
HARRISBURG — Three guardians of children with physical disabilities filed a class-action lawsuit against Pennsylvania Secretary of Human Services Teresa Miller, citing alleged Medicaid violations.
Superior Court approves change of venue in Parx Casino personal injury case
HARRISBURG – A three-judge panel of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania upheld the decision of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County to transfer the venue of a personal injury lawsuit to Bucks County from Philadelphia County, according to a June 12 Superior Court ruling.
Dismissal of Philly wrongful death case affirmed; Lawsuit was filed by Illinois woman
HARRISBURG – The Superior Court on June 12 upheld a Philadelphia County decision that said an estate representative's wrongful death lawsuit could not be tried in Pennsylvania.
Firefighters owe $127K to siren companies they sued over hearing loss; For 20 years, they'd had their hearing screened
PHILADELPHIA – Due to a perceived pattern of improper investigation and dismissals, a federal appeals court has upheld the payment of more than $127,000 in legal fees from Washington, D.C., firefighters who claimed hearing loss from exposure to the sirens on their fire trucks, to the manufacturers of those same devices.
Criticism follows powerful legal group to next project - a 'troubling' take on consumer contracts
PHILADELPHIA – Fresh off a controversial eight-year project that was criticized even after its passage, an influential group that advises judges on the law is seemingly about to do it all again.
Woman claims foot injury resulted from Camelback Resort's negligence
HARRISBURG — A New York resident is suing Camelback Resort LLC and other business operators, citing alleged negligence.
Property owners claim SWEPI owes $222,000 in oil and gas rental fees
WILLIAMSPORT — Three property owners are suing oil company SWEPI LP, citing alleged breach of contract and breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing in connection with an alleged refusal to pay rental fees.
Airgas claims former senior VP, Carlyle stole confidential information
PHILADELPHIA — Airgas Inc. is suing The Carlyle Group and Carlyle Investment Management LLC and former Airgas senior vice president of corporate development Leslie Graff, citing alleged breach of employee duty and loyalty, aiding and abetting breach of duty and loyalty and violation of the Pennsylvania Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
Lawrence County blames doctors and pharmaceutical companies for opioid crisis
NEW CASTLE — Lawrence County is suing several physicians and pharmaceutical companies, citing alleged violation of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act, as well as fraud, unjust enrichment, negligence, negligent misrepresentation and causing a public nuisance.
Wal-Mart argues slip-and-fall plaintiff ignored warning cone, has injury-prone past
PITTSBURGH – A man who sued Wal-Mart for negligence after allegedly falling on a wet bathroom floor in one of the retail giant’s stores, is being labeled by defense counsel as a plaintiff with an extensive injury history and one who both disregarded a warning cone placed by the store and could not show the store had prior notice of the wet floor.
Woman blames Springfield Country Club, Finley Catering for slip and fall
MEDIA — A Newtown Square resident is suing events venue and catering company Springfield Country Club Inc. and Finley Catering Co Inc., citing alleged negligence resulting in a fall.
ECKERT SEAMAN CHERIN & MELLOT: Eckert Seamans welcomes Anita Murray to Philadelphia office and Litigation Division
Eckert Seamans is pleased to welcome member Anita J. Murray to its Philadelphia office and Litigation Division.
Spinal injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder plague McDonald's fall victim, she says
PHILADELPHIA – A woman alleges she slipped and fell outside a South Philadelphia McDonald’s and has now sued the fast food titan, saying she suffered injuries to her limbs, spine and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lawsuit: Negligence leads to "horror movie-like" pit bull attack on plaintiff's dog
PHILADELPHIA – A new lawsuit in state court says a plaintiff is reeling psychologically after witnessing the “horror movie-like incident” of his dog allegedly being attacked by two out-of-control pit bulls.
Philly food company claims it was burned by BBQ restaurant's breach of contract
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia food services company says it has been left feeling burned by a barbecue restaurant which formerly operated in Honey Brook, charging it with breach of contract.