News from August 2022
Janitor who sued former employer over discrimination has $300K settlement offer in play
PHILADELPHIA – A local man who claimed that he was racially targeted at his place of business during his janitorial shifts and that his employer did nothing to remedy the series of events despite his making multiple reports of said discriminatory behavior, has the defense considering acceptance of a $300,000 settlement offer.
Sixth-grade teacher allegedly fired from Catholic school for being gay fights to keep lawsuit going
PITTSBURGH – A sixth-grade teacher allegedly fired from Aquinas Academy once his employer learned of his same-sex marriage rejected the Diocese of Greensburg’s attempt to dismiss his case via its perceived exemption from anti-discrimination laws.
Pa. & Phila. Bar Associations issue new guidance on handling of client legal fees
PHILADELPHIA – Both the Pennsylvania Bar Association and Philadelphia Bar Association recently released a concurring ethics opinion discussing how attorneys and their new clients should approach the concept of legal fees.
Man paralyzed in swimming pool says he pled proper claims against 'negligent' party hosts
PITTSBURGH – A man who suffered a severe spinal cord injury at a house party where alcohol was consumed has countered the party hosts’ preliminary objections, and argues that both his theories of negligence are well-pled and the hosts’ over-serving him with alcohol directly led to his tragic injuries.
Amtrak worker alleges company failed to stop attack by fellow employee during meeting
PHILADELPHIA — An Amtrak employee who was assaulted by a fellow employee during a staff meeting is claiming the company's negligence. Scott Fleming filed a complaint July 26 in the U.S.
Park City Mall shooting bystanders injured in the ensuing panic hold true to claims
LANCASTER – A pair of shoppers at the Park City Mall who survived a shooting incident last October, but who were also trampled in the panic which ensued when the gun discharged inside the mall, have reiterated their claims against the mall and its security company.
Parents alleging private school failed to address bullying lose some claims from suit
PITTSBURGH – The parents of a Pittsburgh-area high school student have lost claims for punitive damages, attorney’s fees and a violation of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act in a lawsuit alleging their son was discriminated against for his race and ethnicity
Former assistant sues law firm over short-lived employment
PHILADELPHIA — A former legal assistant at a law firm in Allentown claims she was fired due to her disability. Virginia Borhi filed a complaint Aug. 4 in the U.S.
Contractor sues Dairy Queen, says liquid on pavement caused his ladder to slip
MEDIA — A refrigerator technician working at a Dairy Queen in Drexel Hill claims employees left a wet substance on the pavement which caused his ladder to slip. Seamus S.
Political activist continues filing flag-burning civil rights lawsuits, this time against Pottsville
SCRANTON – An activist who recently dismissed his constitutional challenge of the City of Williamsport’s open-burning ordinance with respect to burning flags as a method of political protest and brought a similar case against the City of Scranton, is now litigating with Pottsville over the same issues.
Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Recognizes Obermayer
Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Recognizes Obermayer.
Pa. teenager sues Facebook and Instagram for allegedly causing her sleep deprivation, eating disorder and self-harm
PITTSBURGH – A Pennsylvania teenager has filed a lawsuit against Facebook and Instagram, holding the social media apps responsible for the development of her eating disorder and related self-harm, through their use of advertising and targeted algorithms designed to maximize user engagement.
UPenn also looks to dismiss anthropologist's defamation suit over MOVE Bombing remains controversy
PHILADELPHIA – Along with a series of publications which want to dismiss defamation litigation from a University of Pennsylvania anthropologist, who claimed their allegedly defamatory reports of her supposed mishandling of the remains of victims from the MOVE Bombing of 1985 damaged her professional reputation and caused her to suffer harassment and death threats, the University is looking to do likewise.
Woman again says husband's fatal injuries were result of negligent medical care
PITTSBURGH – A West Virginia woman stands by claims that her husband’s death was the result of numerous incidents of negligence on the part of his medical caretakers, which led him to suffer a multitude of injuries prior to death.
Regulatory Compliance Counsel Abigail Pressler Joins Ballard Spahr's Consumer Financial Services Group
Regulatory Compliance Counsel Abigail Pressler Joins Ballard Spahr's Consumer Financial Services Group.
Judge throws out dismissal motion from Pittsburgh and the state, in suit over wireless tower placements
PITTSBURGH – The City of Pittsburgh and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have lost an attempt to dismiss litigation from AT&T, which asserted that the defendants violated the Telecommunications Act of 1996 by their limiting of the company’s ability to place wireless facilities on telephone poles in the City’s rights-of-way.
Ex-Pond Lehocky attorney allegedly fired after bout with testicular cancer fights to keep punitive damages claim
PHILADELPHIA – A former Pond Lehocky attorney who claimed he was terminated for seeking accommodations during his bout with testicular cancer, has hit back at the firm’s motion to dismiss punitive damages from his complaint.
Jones Day named Litigation Department of the Year Finalist in Pennsylvania and Texas
Jones Day named Litigation Department of the Year Finalist in Pennsylvania and Texas.
Walmart customer alleges protruding pallet in aisle caused her injuries
MEDIA — A Walmart customer is alleging a pallet that was protruding into an aisle caused her injuries.
Lawsuit: Health club failed to remove violent player from hockey game
PITTSBURGH — A man injured in a hockey game at a Pittsburgh health club is claiming negligence. Nicholas Venuti filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Christopher A.