News from January 2023
Judge: Upper Chichester Police Department must answer discovery in excessive force case
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has granted a motion compelling the Upper Chichester Township Police Department and several of its members to comply with requests for specific discovery from plaintiff counsel, in connection with a Delaware County man’s assault and excessive force allegations from an incident which occurred two years ago.
Parents of pre-trial detainee killed in custody file new complaint against Philadelphia and corrections officers
PHILADELPHIA – After seeing the initial version of their complaint dismissed, the parents of a pre-trial detainee who was assaulted and killed by individuals he was incarcerated with two years ago have brought new litigation against the City of Philadelphia and several corrections co-defendants.
Recent Trends in Credit Repair Organizations: The Mass Mailings of Questionable Cease and Desist and Debt Validation Letters on January 6, 2023
In recent months, debt relief law firms and other credit repair organizations have mailed volumes of cease and desist letters, debt validation requests, and vague demand letters to creditors.
Jan. 2: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania docket for "civil" cases
The following cases categorized as "civil" were on the docket in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Jan. 2. All case details are allegations only and should not be taken as fact:
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania: Actions Taken on Jan. 2
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania reported the following activity on Jan. 2 in the suits below:
Court activity on Jan. 2: Sharon Burgoon vs Commissioner of Social Security
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania reported the following activity in the suit brought by Sharon Burgoon against Commissioner of Social Security on Jan. 2: 'Summons/return Of Service Returned Executed By Sharon Burgoon. Commissioner Of Social Security Served On 12/20/2022, Answer Due 2/21/2023. (Sbrolla, Lindsey) (entered: 01/02/2023)'.
Failure to use due care charge removed from injured shopper's suit against Aldi grocery
PITTSBURGH – An Allegheny County woman and discount grocery store chain Aldi have agreed to dismiss allegations the business failed to use due care, after the plaintiff said a metal produce shelf fell on her when she was shopping inside the grocer’s West Mifflin store.
Rochester shopper's slip-and-fall suit against Rite Aid loses one defendant
PITTSBURGH – One defendant has been dismissed from a Western Pennsylvania woman’s negligence lawsuit against Rite Aid, brought after she fell on uncleaned salt and snow in the wake of a snowstorm and broke her right ankle last January.
Law firm says defamation and slander suit is not duplicative, and should proceed
MEDIA – A local law firm and one of its Delaware County-based partners who accused a group of individuals of defamation and slander say their complaint should not be dismissed and is not duplicative of a prior action, to the contrary of the defendants’ arguments.
Company argues panels that fell and severed plaintiff's toes were not defective
PITTSBURGH – An Alabama company has rejected allegations that it is responsible for defective concrete panels which came loose and fell on the plaintiff’s right foot during a work assignment, leading four of his toes to be severed.
Lawsuit against Chester over alleged assault on hold as city goes through bankruptcy
PHILADELPHIA – In the wake of the City of Chester filing for bankruptcy, a federal judge has stayed litigation from two individuals who participated in an “Environmental Justice Day” march and claimed they were assaulted there by Chester government officials, including the mayor and two members of borough council.
What (and What Not) to Do When Under Investigation: A Cautionary Tale on January 5, 2023
Businesses and individuals facing investigation must proceed with caution.
Kevin Harchar In Memoriam
With heavy hearts, the attorneys and staff of Pond Lehocky Giordano announce the sudden and tragic passing of our beloved partner, colleague, and friend, Kevin E. Harchar, on December 23, 2022.