Lawsuits
Adams County man says DCNR refused to accommodate his asthma and other conditions, then fired him
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, without his union coming to his aid.
Lawsuits
Lawsuit: Surgical screw implanted in woman's lumbar spine during fusion surgery has fractured
Federal Court
Lancaster County seeks dismissal from wrongful death suit concerning man who died by suicide in custody
Federal Court
Pa. State Trooper named in wrongful death suit moves for stay, until Philly DA's Office wraps up investigation
PHILADELPHIA – Counsel for a Pennsylvania State Trooper who shot and killed an 18-year-old man near a street race on Interstate-95 in Philadelphia last year say the subsequent wrongful death civil lawsuit brought by the decedent’s parents and friends should be stayed, during the pendency of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office’s investigation into potential criminal charges.
Schools
Judge rules harassment case from former majorette against Penn State University will proceed
WILLIAMSPORT – A former majorette at Penn State University who claimed she was subject to unrelenting sexual and gender harassment from her coach during her four-year tenure in the school’s band – and that school officials did nothing to stop the coach’s behavior – will have her case proceed, overcoming a dismissal motion from the university.
Today, the Fair Share Act’s name is a misnomer
Federal Court
Man sues Penn Highlands Huntingdon for wrongful termination over safety complaints
Michael D. McKim sues Penn Highlands Huntingdon alleging wrongful termination after reporting safety violations and employee misclassification issues. He seeks various damages including back pay and reinstatement.
Federal Court
Woman sues Apple and Best Buy over defective Apple Watch causing severe burns
Doneza Smith files a lawsuit against Apple and Best Buy alleging an Apple Watch caused severe burns leading to significant injuries and financial losses.
Federal Court
Man sues Holovisn LLC for unpaid wages and overtime violations
A man has filed a lawsuit against Holovisn LLC alleging unpaid wages and overtime violations under federal and state laws.
Federal Court
Man accused of insider trading in Dick’s Sporting Goods stock
The SEC sues a man for insider trading involving Dick’s Sporting Goods stock with alleged illicit profits totaling $823,367.
Federal Court
Man sues St. Jude Medical and Abbott Laboratories for negligence over incorrect medical device implantation
Richard Wellington sues St. Jude Medical and Abbott Laboratories alleging negligence in implanting the wrong medical device leading to severe complications and multiple surgeries.
Federal Court
Man alleges Omega Systems Consultants violated ADA by wrongful termination
Michael Lazin sues Omega Systems Consultants alleging wrongful termination under ADA after taking medical leave for cancer treatment.
Federal Court
Inmate sues multiple Pennsylvania legal entities seeking right to represent others in court
An inmate sues several Pennsylvania legal entities for the right to represent others in court without being an attorney. The case raises constitutional questions about unauthorized practice laws.
Federal Court
No response to summary judgment motion leads federal judge to dismiss discrimination claims
ALLENTOWN – After not responding to a prior summary judgment motion from the defense, a federal magistrate judge has dismissed claims from a Philadelphia law firm’s former office manager, a plaintiff of Hispanic origin who alleged that she and a fellow co-worker were discriminated against during their tenure because of their ethnic background.
State Court
Bike company denies liability for Pittsburgh man's fall-related injuries suffered in 2022
PITTSBURGH – A bicycle company has denied allegations of negligence and liability for the numerous bodily injuries a Pittsburgh man says he sustained, during a pair of falls off the bike he was riding in 2022.
Adams County man says DCNR refused to accommodate his asthma and other conditions, then fired him
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, without his union coming to his aid.
Johnstown man says wire drawing machine part dislodged and severely injured him
PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania man claims he suffered a traumatic brain injury and multiple facial fractures, when a component of the defendant’s wire drawing machine unexpectedly dislodged and struck him.
Construction worker says company's failure to shut off gas line caused McKeesport explosion
PITTSBURGH – A man helping to construct a handicap-accessible ramp on a job site says negligence on the part of multiple defendants in failing to shut off a gas line while performing excavation work, caused an explosion which severely injured him.
Suit: Daycare's negligence led to plaintiff's son falling off table and cutting his eye
PITTSBURGH – The parent of a toddler-aged son alleges that the daycare facility she entrusted to care for her son was negligent in their duties, resulting in her son falling and sustaining a facial laceration to his left eye.
Philadelphia police lieutenant says complying with COVID-19 policy lost him overtime assignments
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia police lieutenant claims that after he contracted COVID-19, recovered and returned to work, his superiors unofficially revoked his eligibility for overtime assignments in retaliation for his absence from duty to recover from the virus – despite such an absence complying with department policy.
Allegheny County denies violating religious liberty of corrections officer who objected to COVID vax mandate
PITTSBURGH – Allegheny County has denied violating the religious liberty of one of its corrections officers, in a lawsuit over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate allegedly running afoul of that same plaintiff’s objections.
Allegheny County Sheriff's Office employee loses religious exemption case over COVID vax
PITTSBURGH – Allegheny County and its Sheriff’s Office have won dismissal of litigation which alleged that they failed to reasonably accommodate the religious beliefs of one of its employees, when it mandated obtaining vaccination against COVID-19.
Fired Union County library employee settles case over religious exemption from wearing masks
WILLIAMSPORT – A former public library employee in Lewisburg who alleged her Christian beliefs were the determinative factor in the library’s decision to terminate her employment, when she sought a religious exemption to its mandatory mask policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, has settled her claims.
Family of inmate about to be released after 45 years only to die of COVID-19 drops case
PHILADELPHIA – The family of a man who died from COVID-19 shortly before he was to be released from prison after more than four decades and sued state officials for not approving the decedent’s pardon in a timely manner, allegedly leaving him at greater risk for contracting the virus and causing his death, have voluntarily and mutually dismissed their case alongside the defendants.
AG Michelle Henry: ‘The FTC and Congress must act to ensure fulsome regulation of PBMs nationwide’
State Attorney General Michelle Henry (D-Pennsylvania) sent a letter to U.S. Congressional leadership this week saying Congress should “act to ensure fulsome regulation of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
Plaintiff in class action against Gannon University now seeks $371K award in extra costs
ERIE – An undergraduate student who filed a class action lawsuit against Gannon University claiming that he and others were deprived of the on-campus education and experience they paid for when the COVID-19 pandemic occurred and learning shifted to remote status – and then settled the case for $1.1 million - now seeks an award of attorney’s fees, costs and other expenses in excess of $371,000.
Pa. state senator Boscola appeals judge's ruling in defamation suit
PITTSBURGH – A Pennsylvania state senator facing defamation allegations from an energy company president has appealed a judge’s denial of her preliminary objections to the Commonwealth Court.
Third Circuit cites no jurisdiction for insurer's appeal over asbestos litigation costs
PHILADELPHIA – Citing a lack of jurisdiction, a panel of judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled against an insurance company’s appeal connected to the costs it incurred in asbestos litigation from one of its customers.
Bike company denies liability for Pittsburgh man's fall-related injuries suffered in 2022
PITTSBURGH – A bicycle company has denied allegations of negligence and liability for the numerous bodily injuries a Pittsburgh man says he sustained, during a pair of falls off the bike he was riding in 2022.
Woman alleges Vincentian Collaborative System of Medical Professional Liability
In a recent lawsuit, Lisa A. Buccilli, executrix of the estate of Raymond D. Fischer, has filed a medical professional liability action against Vincentian Collaborative System d/b/a Vincentian Marian Manor. The case revolves around the defendant's alleged failure to prevent contamination of Legionella as found by an investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services.
Woman sues Apple and Best Buy over defective Apple Watch causing severe burns
Doneza Smith files a lawsuit against Apple and Best Buy alleging an Apple Watch caused severe burns leading to significant injuries and financial losses.
Pa. courts tie for No. 1 ranking on annual 'Judicial Hellholes' report list
WASHINGTON – According to the latest annual report of “Judicial Hellholes” released Tuesday by the American Tort Reform Association, Pennsylvania courts have tied with Georgia for the No. 1 ranking for jurisdictions considered unfriendly to businesses.
DOJ nets $28M financial penalty against Warren Buffett-owned mortgage lender for redlining
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice has handed down a fine in excess of $28 million to a Pennsylvania mortgage company owned by billionaire Warren Buffet, which it says engaged in discriminatory lending practices to prospective homeowners who are Black and Latino.