News from December 2021
More clients sue Hagens Berman over failed birth defect lawsuits
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Prominent plaintiff law firm Hagens Berman has been sued by more of its clients who claim they were shoved aside by their lawyers after serious ethical concerns emerged in how the firm handled lawsuits over the banned drug thalidomide.
Pa. Supreme Court to soon hear arguments on statewide school mask mandate, vacates Commonwealth Court order
HARRISBURG – The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will hear oral arguments on the statewide school mask mandate on Dec. 8, pitting opponents of the mandate including a Republican gubernatorial candidate and Senate President pro tempore, versus the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf.
Philly woman claims she was severely injured on treadmill in Bensalem fitness center
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia couple allege that a Bensalem fitness facility was negligent in maintaining the safety of its treadmill machines, leading the wife-plaintiff to fall off the machine and suffer severe full-body injuries.
Food processor says Susquehanna River environmental group lacks standing to bring pollution claims against it
HARRISBURG – A food processing company seeks to dismiss litigation brought against it by a Pennsylvania waterway environmental group that charges it with having polluted Oil Creek and the Susquehanna River and violating the state Clean Streams Law and the federal Clean Water Act in the process.
Norvelt man reiterates negligence claims after up-cut saw caused loss of part of his right hand at work
PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania man stands by negligence and strict liability claims against companies in Italy, Indiana and Pennsylvania, after an up-cut saw severed his right hand just above his wrist during his work.
Philadelphia says no truth to class action allegations against its vehicle towing relocation program
PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia believes that a class action lawsuit claiming that its vehicle towing relocation program fails to abide by due process and provide adequate notice or fair procedures for owners to locate and recover their vehicles after they have been moved, is not adequately supported by fact.
Hispanic American Airlines worker alleges discrimination, retaliation
PITTSBURGH — An American Airlines worker alleges he faced discrimination and retaliation because he is Hispanic. Lenin Rodriguez filed a complaint Nov. 2 in the U.S.
Pa. Supreme Court rules concert tickets given to Parx Casino players are exempt from taxation by the state
HARRISBURG – According to a unanimous Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruling, concert tickets which were given to players at Bensalem casino as a perk in 2014 are ineligible from being taxed as a portion of the casino’s operating revenue, which concurred with an earlier ruling from the state’s Commonwealth Court.
In wrongful death suit, plaintiff counsel wants discovery documents showing how pharmacy allegedly overprescribed opioids
MEDIA – In litigation from a Delaware County woman against her former doctor, a pharmacist and their pharmacy – which alleged their reckless negligence of prescribing large amounts of opioid medication led to the death of her husband – plaintiff counsel is seeking documents which detail the volume of opioids prescribed to customers over a five-year period.
Judge denies injunction to high school football player's father, who was banned for allegedly threatening to fight his son's coach
PITTSBURGH – A federal judge has denied the issuance of a preliminary injunction to the father of a Jefferson-Morgan varsity football player who sued the school district in federal court, after he was barred from the campus and football stadium after he asked the head coach to resign following a game last year.
Family of young woman and toddler who died in house fire settle wrongful death and survival claims for $42.5K
LANCASTER – The family of both a young woman and toddler who died in a residential structure fire in Columbia Borough in January 2020 have settled claims for survival and wrongful death against both the owner and property manager, for $42,500.
Plaintiff says Bed Bath & Beyond's liability denials as to his toddler daughter's restroom injuries do not pass muster
PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania plaintiff whose young daughter suffered a head injury and facial scarring after she hit her head on a restroom sink at Bed Bath & Beyond, has lodged objections to the company’s denial of liability in the matter.
Man alleges he suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at storage facility
PITTSBURGH — A man alleges he suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from a vehicle that was allowed to be left idling at a storage facility.
McDonald's worker claims she faced harassment, termination due to disability
PITTSBURGH — A McDonald's worker alleges she was harassed by managers and fired because of her disability.
Manheim Township School District improperly expelled student for Snapchat texts, Pa. Supreme Court majority says
HARRISBURG – A 6-1 majority of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled that Manheim Township School District officials acted outside the scope of their authority, when they expelled a 17 year-old high school student for an after-hours Snapchat meme which labeled a fellow classmate as a possible school shooter.
Federal judge stops former Penn State University athletic trainer’s breach of contract suit
HARRISBURG – A federal judge has dismissed litigation from a former athletic trainer at Penn State University with prejudice, finding that the doctrine of res judicata barred the plaintiff’s case.
Trucking firm seeks injunction to stop Philadelphia's revocation of its 'Disadvantaged Business Enterprise' status
PHILADELPHIA – A Bucks County trucking firm now seeks a preliminary injunction to prevent the City of Philadelphia and the U.S. Department of Transportation from revoking its certification to qualify as a “Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.”
Former UPenn Health employees want judge to deny motion to dismiss their case over vaccination mandate
ALLENTOWN – A group of current and former employees from the University of Pennsylvania Health System, who believe that forcible disclosure of their vaccination status violates their constitutional rights, stand by their claims and seek a federal court to throw out the health care company’s motion to dismiss its case.
Juvenile rehabilitation center wants sexual assault suit against it transferred to Forest County court
PITTSBURGH – Counsel for a local rehabilitation center for delinquent youth believes that sexual assault litigation filed against their clients by a Western Pennsylvania man should be transferred to a Forest County court.
Man sues City of Pittsburgh and police officers for excessive force and false arrest
PITTSBURGH - John Conners filed a federal complaint on October 21 in the Western District of Pennsylvania against the City of Pittsburgh and unknown police officers for excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, retaliation and other claims.