News from March 2024
Azura sued over data breach
PHILADELPHIA - A federal class action lawsuit targets Azura over a recent data breach.
National Parks Service, Philadelphia sued over fall on Ghost Tour
PHILADELPHIA - A man who hurt his left shoulder on a fall during a Philadelphia Ghost Tour has sued both the city and the National Parks Service.
Leet Township objects to ex-police chief's breach of contract suit, says he was “at-will employee”
PITTSBURGH – Leet Township has objected to a lawsuit brought by its former chief of police – who alleged he was fired four years before his contract expired and is now seeking financial remuneration – and countered that he was instead an at-will public employee, who could be dismissed at any time.
Lehigh Township and its Chief of Police settle former officer's claims of sexual harassment for $1.75M
ALLENTOWN – Lehigh Township and its Chief of Police have settled litigation from a female former officer of the Lehigh Township Police Department for $1.75 million – litigation which alleged that, over a five-year period, the Chief of Police targeted her for sexual harassment, discrimination and abuse, creating what she called a “hostile, toxic and intolerable work environment” that led to her resignation.
Third Circuit says undated mail-in ballots may be thrown out, overturns Pa. lower court ruling
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has overturned a lower court ruling which had decided that undated mail-in ballots must be accepted as valid votes by all county boards of election in Pennsylvania, after the Republican Party’s state and national wings appealed the initial ruling – a decision likely to head to the U.S. Supreme Court on appeal and have tremendous import in November’s presidential election, which will once again see the Keystone State as a battleground.
Greenberg Traurig Announces Elevation of Real Estate Attorney David B. Lipner to Shareholder
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP elevated David B. Lipner, a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice, from associate to shareholder.
Judge suggests dismissal for N.J. man who alleged Pa. authorities sabotaged his pro boxing event
HARRISBURG – A New Jersey man who launched legal action against the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission and its personnel – alleging they conspired against him to prevent him from holding a professional boxing card in Harrisburg – may have his case dismissed, according to a federal magistrate judge’s recommendation.
Plaintiffs in class action wage dispute case against U.S. Steel seek remand to state court
PITTSBURGH – Counsel behind a class action complaint which alleged U.S. Steel violated the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act (PMWA) by not paying employees for the time they spent showering and walking to their worksites, among other pre- and post-work activities, is opposing the suit’s removal to federal court and seeking it to be remanded to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
Judge who declared Educator Discipline Act unconstitutional awards plaintiff $36K in legal fees
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge who ruled that a Bucks County man would be granted a permanent injunction against enforcement of the provisions of Section 17.2 of Pennsylvania’s Educator Discipline Act – a statute which he felt criminalized the disclosure of truthful information connected to the filing of an educator misconduct complaint with the Commonwealth’s Department of Education – also awarded more than $36,000 in legal fees from the Bucks County District Attorney to the plaintiff.
Colwyn Borough set to defend itself from malicious prosecution suit, after default was set aside
PHILADELPHIA – The Borough of Colwyn is ready to defend itself from litigation brought by a Delaware County man, who alleged that a member of the Colwyn Police Department – after unsuccessfully attempting to sanction him with a trio of motor vehicle tickets – later arrested him on fabricated charges of marijuana possession and disorderly conduct.
Duane Morris' Melissa Ruth Honored as a Lawyer on the Fast Track, Firm Recognized as Awards Finalist by The Legal Intelligencer
Duane Morris LLP has been recognized across three categories of The Legal Intelligencer’s 2024 Pennsylvania Legal Awards.
Bucks County files major lawsuit versus Big Oil, charges companies misled public about climate change impacts
DOYLESTOWN – Bucks County has launched litigation against several oil companies and the American Petroleum Institute, charging that the defendants collectively misled the public about the burning of fossil fuels and its catastrophic effect on climate change, the effects of which have damaged County residents.
Delco homeowner and insurer who claimed Amazon sold pest repellent that caused fire end case
PHILADELPHIA – A Delaware County homeowner and his insurance company who alleged that his residence sustained significant fire damage after use of a pest repellent which he ordered from Amazon.com, have ended their case.
Eddystone and police officer look to dismiss excessive force suit from brother of YouTube vlogger
PHILADELPHIA – The Borough of Eddystone and a police officer are seeking to dismiss excessive force litigation from the brother of a YouTube video blogger, who had alleged the defendants approached his vehicle with guns drawn, initiated a high-speed chase, and collided with his vehicle resulting in an accident and injury.
Couple who alleged defective hunting boots injured husband settle case
PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania couple who alleged that a pair of hunting boots the husband-plaintiff purchased were designed defectively, causing the soles of the boot to unexpectedly separate and him to suffer an injurious fall, have settled their claims.
Lawsuit: Kickstand deployed on e-bike, causing crash in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH - A sudden jolt from a kickstand sent an e-bike and its rider into a curb, an Allegheny County lawsuit says.
Quaker school sued over alleged student-on-student abuse
PHILADELPHIA - A federal lawsuit says the private Quaker School Abington Friends refused to prevent assault on a student that included fruit being stuffed in her mouth.
Rawle Partner Jennifer Seme to Participate in ABA Section of Litigation Panel Discussion on “How to Try a Class Action”
Rawle & Henderson partner Jennifer Seme will participate in an American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Litigation panel discussion about “How to Try a Class Action,” which will take place on March 28 at 2:00 p.m. EDT.
Drowning during UTV crash leads to lawsuit in Lackawanna County
SCRANTON – A Lackawanna County man alleges that collective product liability on the part of manufacturers of an off-road utility vehicle and negligence on the part of the commercial operators of land where the vehicle overturned, resulted in the plaintiff’s wife dying by drowning in a UTV accident.
Judge will not reconsider dismissing defamation count against Gov. Shapiro, in man's malicious prosecution suit
SCRANTON – A federal judge has denied a motion for reconsideration regarding the dismissal of a defamation count, in litigation from a man who alleged former Attorney General (and now, Governor) Josh Shapiro breached an agreement of non-prosecution with him.