News from December 2023
Out-of-control Port-O-Potty struck plaintiff, lawsuit continues to insist
MEDIA – A Delaware County woman holds onto claims she was struck by a Port-O-Potty while it was being moved and received serious injuries, allegedly due to the negligence of the backhoe operator tasked with moving the object – and has refuted one of the defendants’ denial of liability and a related cross-claim.
Delco woman reiterates that roofing company caused $77K in fire damages to her home
MEDIA – A Delaware County woman has reiterated claims that while performing its services, a roofing company set fire to her home and caused more than $77,000 in damages to her residence.
Blank Rome Earns Perfect Score in 2023–2024 Corporate Equality Index
Blank Rome LLP proudly announces that our firm received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2023–2024 Corporate Equality Index (“CEI”), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign (“HRC”) Foundation.
Philadelphia Partner John H. McCarthy Retires From Rawle & Henderson LLP
Rawle & Henderson LLP announces that its Partner, John H. McCarthy will retire at the end of the year after a 41-year career at the firm.
City of Philadelphia settles case connected to death of bystander to high-speed vehicle police chase
PHILADELPHIA – Litigation connected to the death of an innocent bystander to a high-speed vehicle chase leveled against the City of Philadelphia and two of its police officials has been settled.
Altoona couple contend UPMC missed wife's diagnosis, caused her to contract thyroid cancer
PITTSBURGH – An Altoona couple have held to their claims that doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center failed to follow up on the wife-plaintiff’s initial diagnosis of adenopathy, which she says led her to develop late-stage thyroid cancer.
Fox Rothschild Reveals New Firm Brand
A year-long branding initiative at Fox Rothschild culminated today in the launch of a refreshed firm brand that includes a Mission statement, a set of Core Values, a new logo and an update of the firm’s look and feel on its website and social media.
Grant S. Palmer Recognized as a "Most Admired CEO" by the Philadelphia Business Journal
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s Chair and Managing Partner, has been recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a 2023 Most Admired CEO honoree.
Mark Stewart Receives Pennsylvania Impact Award From City & State PA Magazine
Mark Stewart, longtime Chair of national law firm Ballard Spahr, has received a 2023 Pennsylvania Impact Award from statewide news service City & State Pennsylvania.
Suit against elder care facility and Delaware County over death of resident from COVID-19, is settled
PHILADELPHIA – Delaware County and a local senior care facility have confidentially settled a wrongful death claim in a lawsuit filed by the surviving children of a man who died from COVID-19 while under the facility’s care.
Former AstraZeneca exec who said his COVID vax exemption was ignored loses case
PHILADELPHIA – A Pennsylvania man who alleged he was fired from his role as a senior executive with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, because he refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine and was denied an exemption for religious reasons, has seen a federal judge dismiss his case.
Mother of Dauphin County inmate who died in custody settles wrongful death lawsuit for $5M
HARRISBURG – The mother of a Dauphin County Prison inmate who died while in custody in 2021 - after allegedly being doused with pepper spray, constrained by his wrists and ankles and having a hood placed over his head - has settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the county, the prison and a health care company for $5 million.
Troutman Pepper Advises Certara in Acquisition of Formedix LLC
Troutman Pepper client Certara, Inc., a provider of biosimulation software and technology-enabled services, recently announced it has acquired Formedix, a provider of clinical metadata repository and clinical trial automation software.
Michael Bertin Discusses a Recent Third Party Custody Case in The Legal Intelligencer
In an article published in The Legal Intelligencer on December 8, 2023, partner and co-chair of the family law group, Michael Bertin, discusses an important third-party custody case, serving as a reminder of how the only presumption in the Child Custody Act applies in custody cases between a parent and a third party.
United States Files Statement of Interest to Prevent Discrimination and Ensure Access to Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Pennsylvania Jails
United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced today that the United States Department of Justice has filed a Statement of Interest in federal court to clarify state and local jails’ obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide inmates with access to medication to treat opioid use disorder (OUD).
U.S. Senate Confirms Ballard Spahr’s Ken Jarin as Chair of International Broadcasting Advisory Board
Kenneth M. Jarin, a Ballard Spahr partner with decades of experience in law, government affairs, and public policy, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as a member and Chair of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board (IBAB) of the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
Postal employee who received chemical burns from drain cleaner being shipped holds to claims
PITTSBURGH – A United States Postal Service employee contends she has pled sufficient claims against Walmart, in litigation which alleged the plaintiff suffered third-degree chemical burns when a drain cleaner product being sent through the mail leaked through its thin packaging and made contact with her body.
Texas oil company denies responsibility for derrick hand's facial injuries
JOHNSTOWN – A Texas oil well company has denied allegations from a Western Pennsylvania man that he suffered a litany of facial injuries, after a driller’s release of mud caused him to fall and strike his face on a piece of equipment at an oil drilling site.
Judge grants Delco GOP's requested injunction over selection procedure for board of elections
MEDIA – A state court judge has granted an injunction preventing Delaware County and its Council from enforcing an ordinance governing the selection of members to the local Board of Elections, in response to an argument from the County’s Republican Party Chairman that it violated state election code.
Drexel University cleaner says he was discriminated against and fired for his Islamic faith
PHILADELPHIA – A cleaning technician at Drexel University alleges he was discriminated against for his Islamic faith on multiple occasions and later fired from his role, in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.