News from July 2023
Suit: Doctors kept plaintiff running on treadmill until she fell off and broke her arm
WILLIAMSPORT – A woman running on a treadmill for a medically administered stress test says doctors ignored her warnings that the speed of the treadmill was too fast for her to keep up, leading her to fall and suffer a broken arm and other injuries.
Philly police ignored pleas for help and let man die in custody, his daughter alleges
PHILADELPHIA – A local woman has alleged that the Philadelphia Police Department violated its own policies when it arrested her late father two years ago and failed to subsequently administer medical aid, leading to his death while in custody.
Pa. State Police granted dismissal of claims related to man's brief arrest for marijuana possession
PHILADELPHIA – Pennsylvania State Police authorities have won dismissal of multiple claims made by a Bucks County couple, who alleged the husband-plaintiff was mistakenly arrested for possession of marijuana and incarcerated for five hours, before the authorities dropped all charges and released him.
Equipment operator allegedly fired for Facebook post drops ADA and PHRA claims
SCRANTON – A transportation equipment operator who insisted that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation failed to accommodate his disability and later fired him for alleged comments he made in a Facebook post has conceded claims made under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
Judge denies Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility's attempt to dismiss man's civil rights suit
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has denied an attempt by Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility and its officials to dismiss a suit from a Delaware County man, who alleged that he was subjected to a lack of medical care and cruel and unusual punishment in violation of his constitutionally protected civil rights, while incarcerated there.
After garage fire, Garnet Valley School District seeks $17K+ damages from bus manufacturer
MEDIA – In response to a fire which took place in its bus garage, the Garnet Valley School District has, through its insurer, filed a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the buses to recover damages it says it sustained.
Sesame Place Philadelphia again refutes class action charges of discrimination against Black children
PHILADELPHIA – SeaWorld's Sesame Place Philadelphia has once again denied charges that employees of the latter park discriminated against the plaintiff’s daughter, a Black child, during a meet-and-greet session with some of the park’s costumed characters.
Dilworth Paxson announces Nina C. Spizer Joins Dilworth Paxson as Partner & Co-Chair of Criminal Law Practice
Dilworth Paxson LLP is pleased to announce that Nina C. Spizer has joined the firm as a partner in the Litigation Department.
Lawsuit against Lehigh police chief alleges sexual harassment during sexual harassment training
ALLENTOWN – A female former officer of the Lehigh Township Police Department has alleged that over a five-year period, the Chief of Police targeted her for sexual harassment, discrimination and abuse, creating what she calls a “hostile, toxic and intolerable work environment” which led to her resignation.
Lyft driver shot and killed passenger in Sheetz parking lot in self-defense, reply filing claims
PITTSBURGH – A Lyft driver accused of shooting a 55-year-old man to death in August 2022 in the parking lot of a Sheetz convenience store has claimed that his actions were only taken in self-defense.
Pittsburgh café: Our tea wasn't responsible for burning two-year-old boy in 2019
PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh café has denied that its tea was responsible for severely burning a then-two-year-old boy, during a visit to the café by the boy and his mother more than four years ago.
Woman injured during daughter's dance recital seeking default judgment against DoubleTree hotel
PITTSBURGH – Counsel for a woman injured in a Pittsburgh hotel ballroom while watching her daughter’s dance recital and who had alleged that a negligent makeshift table setup used for the event was the proximate cause of her injuries, is now seeking a default judgment against the hotel in question.
Fla. woman insists she was assaulted by staff of Upper Darby hookah lounge
MEDIA – A Florida woman has reiterated that she was violently assaulted by staff members of an Upper Darby hookah lounge, despite its refusal to accept liability for her injuries.
Blank Rome announces Molly Crane Recognized in City & State Pennsylvania's 2023 Philadelphia Forty Under 40
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that partner Molly Crane has been recognized in City & State Pennsylvania's 2023 Philadelphia Forty Under 40.
Allegheny County says it was following the rules when rejecting religious reasons for COVID vax refusal
PITTSBURGH – Allegheny County insists that it did not violate its own Home Rule Charter and Administrative Code and that it is immune from a count of negligent infliction of emotional distress, in a lawsuit over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate allegedly violating a plaintiff’s religious objections.
Allegheny County Port Authority denies liability for injuries that bus passenger allegedly suffered
PITTSBURGH – The Port Authority of Allegheny County has denied responsibility for severe arm and shoulder injuries a Pittsburgh woman claimed she suffered, while being a passenger aboard a bus operated by the defendants.
Ballard Spahr LLP announces Ballard Spahr Earns 13th Consecutive Annual Gold Standard From Women in Law Empowerment Forum
For the 13th year in a row, Ballard Spahr has earned Gold Standard Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF)—one of just four law firms nationwide to achieve the standard every year since the program's inception in 2011.
Marshall Dennehey announces Marshall Dennehey Continues “Best Places to Work” Streak For 11th Year
For the 11th year in a row, Marshall Dennehey has been selected one of the Philadelphia region's "Best Places to Work" by the Philadelphia Business Journal.
Ballard Spahr LLP announces Vault Ranks Ballard Spahr's Summer Associate Program Among Top 30
Career website Vault has ranked Ballard Spahr’s summer associate program among the 30 best such programs in the country.
24-year-old man who made false arrest claims against Aliquippa police settles case
PITTSBURGH – A 24-year-old Western Pennsylvania man who claimed that members of the Aliquippa Police Department unlawfully arrested him, assaulted him while he was in custody and filed false affidavits to justify the arrest after the fact, has reached a settlement with the department and the officers in question.