News from July 2024
Former Student Sues Pennsylvania Hospital Over Alleged Negligence Leading to Permanent Scars
Michaela Mocadlo has filed a lawsuit against Mount Nittany Medical Center alleging negligence after she sustained permanent facial scars due to improper wound care following an accident in July 2022. The case seeks over $75,000 in damages for medical expenses and emotional distress.
Parents Sue Teacher and School Officials Over Alleged Abuse of Special Needs Child
A new lawsuit alleges severe misconduct by a teacher who duct-taped a special needs child's foot to a stage during class while school officials failed to act on prior complaints about her behavior. Parents seek compensatory and punitive damages for their son's physical pain and emotional suffering.
Pennsylvania Residents Sue Wells Fargo Over Unauthorized Fund Transfers
Two Pennsylvania residents have filed a class action lawsuit against Wells Fargo Bank alleging unauthorized electronic fund transfers totaling $24,557.89 from their joint account last December and accusing the bank of failing to reimburse them as required by law.
Former Employee Alleges ADA Violations Against Prominent Casino Operator
A former poker dealer has sued a prominent casino operator alleging violations of the ADA after suffering a knee injury at work. The plaintiff claims wrongful termination due to disability discrimination and retaliation for seeking worker’s compensation benefits.
Former Teacher Alleges Religious Discrimination Against School District
A former teacher has filed a lawsuit against the School District of Philadelphia alleging religious discrimination after facing disciplinary actions over her social media activity expressing Christian beliefs. The case highlights ongoing tensions between personal beliefs and professional conduct within educational institutions.
Former Racial Justice Director Alleges Discrimination Against Community Organization
A former director has sued Community Action Lehigh Valley for alleged racial discrimination and retaliation during her tenure at the organization dedicated to promoting racial equity in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley region.
Football Coach Alleges Racial Discrimination Against Pennsylvania School District
Lloyd Brooks has filed a lawsuit against Wilson Area School District alleging racial discrimination and wrongful termination after being fired from his position as head football coach. The complaint details various incidents highlighting differential treatment between him and white coaches at the district.
Lawsuit: Man hit with avalanche of tires
PITTSBURGH - A truck driver says his haul of tires was improperly loaded, leading to him being bombarded by them when he opened his door to deliver them.
Lawsuit: Erie's business-friendly policies not measuring up
ERIE - A fight over stormwater runoff between a developer and the City of Erie has spilled over into federal court.
Judge strips wrongful death suit against Amtrak and SEPTA of claims related to attractive nuisance doctrine
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has dismissed with prejudice portions of a lawsuit predicated on the attractive nuisance doctrine or Amtrak and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s failure to erect, repair or maintain fencing or other barriers – in litigation from the sister of a man killed by a passing SEPTA train in Northeast Philadelphia over two years ago.
Alpharetta, GA Man Wins $2.3M Verdict Against Gun Manufacturer Sig Sauer
Robert Lang claimed Sig Sauer defectively designed its P320 model and failed to warn customers about the potential for it to discharge unintentionally.
Congratulations to Rising Stars Honoree Zachary J.C. Watkins
Congratulations to Attorney Zachary J.C. Watkins on being named a 2024 Rising Stars honoree!
Reed Smith's ESG practice recognized in Chambers' Crisis & Risk Management Guide
Reed Smith’s ESG practice has been recognized in Chambers’ 2024 Crisis & Risk Management Guide.
DCNR counters its former laborer's claims of wrongful termination, by saying he took unapproved absence
HARRISBURG – An Adams County man formerly employed by the Commonwealth’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says he was discriminated against for his asthma and mental health conditions and later fired – while his former employer contends he had taken an unauthorized absence.
Following Landmark $2.35 Million Georgia Jury Verdict Against “Dangerously Defective Gun” Maker, Law Firm Prepares to File More Defective Product Claims Against Sig Sauer
Attorneys at Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky are planning to file more claims this week on behalf of wounded Sig Sauer P320 gun owners following last week’s landmark $2.35 million Federal jury award to their Georgia client who was shot by his holstered P320 pistol without ever touching the trigger.
Reed Smith advises Flexpoint Ford on growth equity investment into Create Music Group
Global law firm Reed Smith represented Flexpoint Ford on its $165 million growth equity investment into Create Music Group.
Professor Jill Family named Associate Dean for Faculty Research and Development
Widener University Commonwealth Law is thrilled to announce that Professor Jill E. Family has been appointed as the Associate Dean for Faculty Research and Development.
Nurse Sues State Narcotics Agent Over Wrongful Arrest
Shannon Curry has filed a lawsuit against Agent Kelly Poray and other unnamed supervisors alleging wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution related to drug theft accusations at her workplace. The suit seeks over $150,000 in damages per count along with injunctive relief to prevent future violations.
Former Employee Sues Major Financial Institution Alleging Racial and Age Discrimination
Penny Parraway has filed a lawsuit against PNC Financial Service Group Inc., alleging racial and age discrimination that led to her early retirement due to intolerable working conditions created by discriminatory practices from a senior manager at PNC Bank. The case seeks various forms of compensation including back pay and punitive damages.
Blind Plaintiff Sues Major Playing Card Company Over Website Accessibility Issues
A legally blind individual has sued The United States Playing Card Company over allegations that its website is inaccessible to blind users due to insufficient compatibility with screen readers. Filed in federal court on June 17, 2024, Blair Douglass seeks declaratory and injunctive relief under Title III of the ADA.