News from December 2023
Engineer in 2015 Philly Amtrak derailment wants to drop federal case
PHILADELPHIA – The engineer of an Amtrak train that crashed and derailed in Philadelphia in 2015 looks to withdraw his suit against the transit company that pursued indemnification and restitution for costs he incurred in defending himself both civilly and criminally in proceedings stemming from the accident – in the interest of pursuing relief in a state court and preventing duplicative litigation.
Jeffrey Mills Appointed to the Washington County Government Transition Team by Commissioner Sherman and Commissioner-Elect Janis
Jeffrey A. Mills, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate and Public & Project Finance Groups, has been appointed to the Washington County Commissioner’s transition team by Commissioner Nick Sherman and Commissioner-Elect Electra Janis.
The United States Settles With Borough Of Bellefonte To Make Public Meetings Accessible To Those With Hearing Disabilities
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that the Borough of Bellefonte has agreed under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that proper auxiliary aides and services, including qualified sign-language interpreters are made available to those with hearing disabilities at all its public meetings.
Oklahoma firefighters pension fund files class action over agricultural science firm's alleged financial misrepresentations
PHILADELPHIA – An Oklahoma-based firefighter pension fund has filed a class action lawsuit against agricultural sciences firm FMC Corporation, charging it with violating the Securities and Exchange Act by misrepresenting the value of its stock over a 20-month-long period and causing substantial losses for its shareholders.
Judge issues partial dismissal in civil rights suit from Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility inmate
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has partially dismissed counts from civil rights litigation brought by a Montgomery County man who claimed he suffered seizures, and was then denied medical care and physically assaulted while incarcerated at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
Penn State University and multimedia rights provider locked in litigation over RFP process
WILLIAMSPORT – Penn State University contends that its request-for-proposal (RFP) rights to secure a new multimedia contract, are being impeded and/or violated by its current and longtime provider of such content.
Fatal ATV accident in West Virginia leads to wrongful death lawsuit and settlement
PITTSBURGH – A fatal ATV accident in West Virginia which led to a survival and wrongful death lawsuit being brought against the companies who provided the decedent and her boyfriend with the vehicles and rental equipment, has been settled.
Pittsburgh DoubleTree hotel has default judgment opened in suit over dance recital injuries
PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh hotel has been granted its motion to strike or open a default judgment entered against it in August, in litigation filed by a woman allegedly injured in its ballroom while watching her daughter’s dance recital, and who had further claimed that a negligent makeshift table setup used for the event was the proximate cause of her injuries.
Moot Court Team Wins Regional Round, Advances to National Competition
Third-year student Samantha Barrett and 3L Mara Poulsen took top honors in the Regional Round of the National Moot Court Competition in Baltimore, MD this past November.
Gary Samms Obtains a Unanimous Defense Verdict on Behalf of an Interventional Cardiologist
After an 8-day trial regarding the death of a patient, Gary Samms obtained a unanimous defense verdict on behalf of an interventional cardiologist.
After Philly corrections officer dismisses her own harassment suit from federal court, she refiles in state court
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia correctional officer who alleged she faced sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the job, voluntarily dismissed her own case without prejudice three days after bringing it in federal court, and then refiled the complaint in state court.
Former Borough Manager’s gender and race discrimination suit against Yeadon is removed to federal court
PHILADELPHIA – Yeadon’s former Borough Manager has filed a complaint alleging instances of gender and race discrimination she faced during her employment and before being terminated, litigation which the Borough and its co-defendant removed to federal court.
Husband in wheelchair injury suit against Farmington resort passes away, according to counsel
PITTSBURGH – One-half of a New Jersey couple who alleged that a resort’s uneven drop-off between a cement walkway and a pebbled path led to the husband-plaintiff falling off his motorized wheelchair and seriously injuring himself, has passed away.
Man seriously injured by tree removal vehicle fights defense objections to his suit
PITTSBURGH – An Allegheny County man maintains he suffered grievous physical injuries when the Freightliner tree removal vehicle he was standing next to suddenly moved without warning due to a failed brake system – thus trapping him next to the stump grinder mechanism and causing him grievous injuries.
Canonsburg defendants redirect liability for plaintiffs’ mold exposure injuries to home inspection group
PITTSBURGH – A Canonsburg couple have refuted allegations that they are responsible for mold exposure injuries their home buyers incurred, after the sale of the property.
Sam Pond Named to Philadelphia Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker’s Transition Team
On December 1st, 2023, Philadelphia Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker announced the names of the staffers and sub-committee members who will aid her transition into office.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Hosts Faith Leaders Forum as Part of Department of Justice’s United Against Hate Initiative
On Thursday, December 7, 2023, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania hosted faith leaders from across the region at the National Constitution Center to learn about resources for protecting houses of worship and preventing acts of hate, United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced today.
Excellence in Appellate Advocacy
The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School’s national moot court team recently won “Best Brief” in the regional round of the NYC Bar National Moot Court Competition.
Appeal of Pa. judge’s ruling which OK’d counting undated mail-in ballots headed to Third Circuit
ERIE – After a federal judge recently decided that undated mail-in ballots must be accepted as valid votes by all county boards of election in Pennsylvania – a decision to have tremendous import in next year’s presidential election, which will once again likely see the Keystone State as a battleground – the Republican Party’s state and national wings have appealed that decision.
Pa. state trooper’s overzealous pursuit led to man’s death, lawsuit alleges
JOHNSTOWN – A wrongful death suit alleges that an unknown member of the Pennsylvania State Police used excessive force to end a police chase pursuit, which resulted in a car accident and subsequently, the man’s death.