News from October 2023
Federal judge sanctions plaintiff counsel for $19K, for disruptive deposition conduct
PITTSBURGH – Subsequent to the securing of a sealed settlement for an Altoona couple, who claimed a device created to assist babies in sleeping instead caused the death of their three-month-old son from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome due to the product’s inherent defects, a federal judge sanctioned a member of plaintiff counsel for nearly $20,000 due to what the judge termed his disruptive conduct.
Makers of infant sleeping device say they weren't responsible for death of infant
PHILADELPHIA – The manufacturers and distributors of an infant sleeping device have rejected allegations that they failed to correct an allegedly-inherent flaw in the device which resulted in the death of a nearly-four-month-old infant.
Pittsburgh parents say Shaler Township's negligence caused their 15-month-old's feet to be burned
PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh couple continues to allege that Shaler Township committed negligence and charged it with failing to protect their then-15-month-old child from burning their feet on a hot metal access door.
Woman contends she was injured by flying wood block during high school shop class
PITTSBURGH – An Allegheny County woman insists she suffered both eye and facial injuries as a 14-year-old at North Hills High School in 2019, when she was struck with a flying block of wood during a wood shop class.
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board looks to dismiss sexual harassment and disability discrimination suit
JOHNSTOWN – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and several liquor store employees have motioned to dismiss litigation from a former store clerk, which alleged she was sexually harassed and denied disability accommodations during her time working at the store.
Engineer in 2015 Philly Amtrak derailment wants to drop lawsuit over legal costs
PHILADELPHIA – The engineer of an Amtrak train that crashed and derailed in Philadelphia in 2015 is seeking 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.
Freedom of Speech at Universities on October 6, 2023
Thomas Wilkinson will moderate the “Freedom of Speech at Universities” panel at the Pennsylvania Bar Association 32nd Minority Attorney Conference.
Standing Order 23-15 Appointment of Daryl F. Bloom as Full-Time Magistrate Judge
In accordance with the authority conferred by Title 28 U.S.C, Section 631 , et seq., and the requirements of the applicable statute and the Judicial Conference of the United States regarding the appointment of United States Magistrate Judges having been satisfied.
CVS refutes claims it improperly prescribed medication to Upper Darby customer
PHILADELPHIA – CVS Pharmacy has denied allegations that it improperly and incorrectly prescribed medication to one of its customers - an Upper Darby woman who says she suffered adverse reactions as a result.
Delaware Valley University believes it's not at fault for woman's fall on shower floor
PHILADELPHIA – Delaware Valley University has denied claims from a New Jersey woman who alleged that she fell inside a shower area on the school campus due to the institution’s negligence.
Judge severs nearly all plaintiffs from COVID-19 vaccine mandate suit versus Allegheny County and others
PITTSBURGH – A federal judge has severed the civil rights violation claims of 14 former employee plaintiffs against Allegheny County and various County executives, over the County’s institution of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate that resulted in the plaintiffs losing their jobs.
Lawsuit alleges ADA class action lawyers froze partner out of FedEx fees
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - Class action lawyers who hit FedEx with a lawsuit over whether the company's drop boxes could be accessed by wheelchair-bound individuals are now fighting over nearly $1 million in fees.
20 People to Know in Law: Amy Joseph Coles, Blank Rome
Blank Rome partner Amy Joseph Coles, who serves as co-chair of the firm's Pittsburgh office, was featured in the Pittsburgh Business Times' "20 People to Know in Law."
Bradley Partner Andy Robison Elected to World Services Group Board of Directors
Bradley is pleased to announce that partner J. Andrew Robison has been elected to a four-year term on the World Services Group (WSG) 2023-2024 Board of Directors.
Crozer Health entities fight lawsuit after man's death during cataract removal surgery
MEDIA – Crozer Health entities have objected to corporate negligence claims from the widow of a Clifton Heights man, who said her late husband died during a cataract removal surgery because the attending physician and anesthesiologist ignored his extensive history of diagnosed medical issues and administered too much anesthesia to him, eventually leading to his death.
Class action: Delaware lender violated Pa. state rules on capping loan interest rates
ERIE – A pair of in-state plaintiffs have alleged that a Delaware-based lender has violated Pennsylvania guidelines setting a cap on interest rates, and has filed class action litigation against that same lender.
Pa. resort says wheelchair-bound husband's injuries from pavement drop-off were not its fault
PITTSBURGH – A Pennsylvania resort has objected to allegations that it was liable for injuries suffered by one-half of a New Jersey couple, due to an uneven drop-off between a cement walkway and a pebbled path which led to the husband-plaintiff falling off his motorized wheelchair.
Giant Eagle counters claims that shopper fell through exposed portion of store floor
PITTSBURGH – A Giant Eagle supermarket in Export has rejected allegations from a local man that its negligence led him to fall through an exposed section of the store flooring during a shopping trip.
Mountain and BMX bike park denies liability for man's pair of broken ankles
PITTSBURGH – An indoor mountain and BMX bike park in Pittsburgh denied liability for two broken ankles and other injuries allegedly suffered by a local man, when he visited the park almost two years ago.
Insurance Staff Attorney Committee Lunch & Learn: Building Your Case Through Effective Depositions on October 4, 2023
Karen Romano is Chief Deputy Attorney General in charge of the Civil Litigation Section of the Office of Attorney General (OAG) where she oversees a team of 27 litigators.