News from April 2023
Pa. inspection company redirects liability for fatal 2021 house fire, which killed plaintiff's daughter
PITTSBURGH – A Pennsylvania-based inspection company claims it is not liable for a house fire which took place in the fall of 2021 and resulted in the death of the plaintiff’s daughter from smoke inhalation.
One year passes before McDonald's answers employee's sexual harassment suit
PITTSBURGH – After more than one year, McDonald’s has answered a sexual harassment suit from one of its employees, who alleged she was repeatedly subjected to sexual harassment from her manager for months before being mandated to perform work duties in violation of a doctor’s order – which she claimed led to both her miscarriage and professional retaliation exacted upon her.
Defendant in alleged fracking property damage suit seeks judgment on the pleadings
PITTSBURGH – One defendant is seeking judgment on the pleadings in litigation brought by a Western Pennsylvania man who allegedly suffered a number of health complications and diminished value of his property, after nearby fracking operations were conducted.
Eastern District of Pennsylvania United States Attorney's Office announces to Launch Reentry Simulation Initiative to Commemorate National Second Chance Month
On Monday, April 17, 2023, in partnership with the National Constitution Center, United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero hosted a Reentry Simulation to raise awareness about the challenges that formerly incarcerated individuals face when they reenter society.
Man redirects liability to co-defendants in case of man who fell through job site's floor
PITTSBURGH – A defendant named in litigation brought by an Elizabeth man who fell through a floor opening and landed on a stack of drywall and a concrete floor, has denied liability for the incident and redirected liability to all of his remaining co-defendants.
Man who alleged wrongful arrest for narcotics violations has settled his case
PHILADELPHIA – A local man who alleged that officers from the Philadelphia Police Department falsified grounds on which to arrest him for narcotics violations, material which was later proven false and led to him being exonerated in a court of law, has settled his claims.
Philly landlord holds Airbnb responsible for damage that squatters did to his property
PHILADELPHIA – A South Philly landlord alleges that a man who rented out his residence through an Airbnb listing became a squatter and pseudo-landlord himself and did tremendous damage to the property for three months in 2020, and is now suing the company to recoup those costs.
Northeast Philly church settles breach of contract suit against insurance carrier
PHILADELPHIA – A Northeast Philadelphia church’s lawsuit who contended that its insurance carrier committed breach of contract by failing to cover its losses of water damage sustained when a drain line failed, has settled its case.
Aliquippa police officers deny they initiated wrongful arrest proceedings against 24-year-old man
PITTSBURGH – Members of the Aliquippa Police Department have denied that they unlawfully arrested a 24-year-old man, assaulted him while he was in custody and filed false affidavits to justify the arrest after the fact.
Fox Rothschild LLP announces Nevena Simidjiyska Appointed to ABA’s Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Steering Committee
Fox Rothschild LLP congratulates Nevena Simidjiyska, who was appointed to the ABA’s Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Steering Committee for a one-year term effective August 8, 2023.
Suit over up-cut saw severing plaintiff's right hand is sent to commerce and complex litigation center
PITTSBURGH – Defendants in a negligence and strict liability lawsuit, filed after an up-cut saw severed the plaintiff’s right hand just above his wrist during his work, have successfully motioned to have the case transferred to Allegheny County’s Commerce and Complex Litigation Center.
Settlement for concession stand volunteer who said French fries caused her third-degree burns
PITTSBURGH – A concession stand volunteer, who claims she suffered third-degree burns within minutes of handling French fries when working at a youth league’s football games, has settled her claim.
Law firm wanting return of $229K in unpaid legal fees has case stayed
PHILADELPHIA – An action between a plaintiff local law firm looking to recover more than $229,000 in allegedly unpaid legal fees and costs that it incurred performing representation duties for a defendant New Jersey couple in a federal bankruptcy action has been stayed.
Aspinwall attorney says other counsel will not return his proprietary information
PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania attorney alleges that proprietary information from his law firm is in the possession of other counsel, and that those defendants have refused to return his information to him.
Pittsburgh School District denies wrongdoing, as Trump-supporting teacher claims wrongful termination
PITTSBURGH – Defendants have uniformly denied allegations in litigation from a former veteran schoolteacher against the Pittsburgh School District and its Board of Education, which charged she was wrongfully terminated after she posted a right-wing article accompanied by allegedly racist language on her personal Facebook page.
Cozen O'Connor hosts Hot Tips in Litigation on April 23, 2023
Dexter Hamilton will speak on the panel “Hot Tips in Litigation” at the 2023 Pennsylvania Bar Association Civil Litigation Section Retreat.
Berks County man who alleged he received broken pelvis from Pa. State Police settles case
ALLENTOWN – A Berks County man who alleged he was savagely beaten by Pennsylvania state troopers and suffered a fractured pelvis nearly three years ago, has settled his claims in principle.
Contractor denied judgment on the pleadings in inspector's whistleblower suit
PITTSBURGH – A contractor has been denied judgment on the pleadings, in litigation from a construction inspector who claimed retaliation after reporting to superiors that groundwater categorized as “contaminated” and slotted for removal from his job site was in fact not polluted.
Motorcyclist who crashed under the influence sues the bar that overserved him
MEDIA – A man who crashed his motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol and suffered spinal and leg injuries as a result, has sued the pub which he alleges overserved him alcoholic beverages and allowed him to drive at the end of the night.
Former Scranton police officer who alleged her personal info was leaked drops her case
SCRANTON – After a federal judge opined she would dismiss a lawsuit from a former member of the Scranton Police Department, who claimed her confidential personnel file and personal contact information were leaked without her knowledge as part of discovery in an unrelated case, that plaintiff voluntarily dropped her case.