News from April 2015
Lawsuit alleges New Jersey Devils illegally restrict ticket resales
The New Jersey Devils hockey team is being sued over allegations that it illegally prevents season ticket holders from selling tickets to games that the ticket holders can't attend. Rey and Alex Olsen filed the lawsuit on April 21 against the Devils, alleging the professional hockey team has “resorted to illegal and anti-competitive means” when it comes to reselling tickets to regular-season games.
Lawsuit alleges MagnaChip artificially inflated stock price
A manufacturer of small chips for smartphones is being sued over allegations that it released inaccurate financial data that misled shareholders. The Oklahoma Police Pension & Retirement System filed the lawsuit on April 21 against MagnaChip and its executives, alleging the company failed to disclose improper revenues and earnings overstatements in 2011, 2012 and the first three months of 2013.
AG Hood hires whistleblowers' attorneys for Katrina lawsuit against State Farm
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has hired the private attorneys for two whistleblowers to pursue his latest lawsuit against State Farm Insurance over its handling of post-Hurricane Katrina claims.
Online fantasy sports betting firm sued over 'bonus' promotion
An online sports betting company is being sued over allegations it didn't give customers “bonus credit” it promised.
Former Merrill Lynch employees sue for unpaid compensation
Former employees at Merrill Lynch are suing the financial services company claiming they weren't paid bonus payments they had earned while working there.
Texas couple sues landlords for allegedly overcharging on late fees
A property manager and landlord is being sued over allegations it overcharged tenants for water usage.
Suit claims Chiquita contaminates water in growing bananas
A lawsuit filed against a popular banana producer alleges, among other things, that its process for growing the fruit poisons local residents.
Medical device companies say Innovation Act could have ‘chilling effect’
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A group of medical device companies says it is concerned about a House-introduced patent reform bill, calling it “far-reaching.”
Wash. patent troll bill signed into law
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee signed Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s patent troll bill into law over the weekend.
SeaWorld Texas sued for alleged mistreatment of killer whales
SeaWorld is facing a Texas class action lawsuit over claims its treatment and breeding of killer whales was concealed from the public.
Mass. attorney general sues drug treatment center
Suit alleged center illegally profited off patients seeking treatment for opiate addiction.
U.S. Supreme Court ruling favors states in anti-trust laws on natural gas price fixing
Kansas, other states can continue to enforce antitrust laws to prevent retail price fixing
ExxonMobil to pay $5 million to settle Ark. suit
Case stems from 2013 crude oil spill from Pegasus Pipeline in Mayflower, Arkansas
U.S. PTO invalidates key claims of Texas company’s podcasting patent
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this month revoked key elements of a controversial podcasting patent.
House subcommittee moves forward with patent TROL bill
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A U.S. House subcommittee has advanced a piece of patent reform legislation that would rein in abusive demand letters.
Pa. appeals court rules for crane company in asbestos suit
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) – Friday, the Pennsylvania Superior Court affirmed an earlier ruling from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, which had granted summary judgment for a former crane operator in a lawsuit brought by a man who claimed he developed lung cancer as a result of asbestos exposure at his workplace.
Federal judge won’t block Wis. chief justice amendment
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has refused to halt the implementation of a constitutional amendment approved by voters this month changing the method by which the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s chief justice is selected.
Lumber Liquidators sued over alleged formaldehyde in flooring
Lumber Liquidators is facing another lawsuit over the amount of formaldehyde contained in some laminate wood flooring it manufactures in China.
Lawsuit alleges 2002-2006 Nissan Altima floorboards defective
A lawsuit against automaker Nissan alleges the floorboards in certain models are defective and rust all the way through, exposing the road beneath. Marie Demaria filed the lawsuit on April 14 against Nissan, alleging the company didn't tell consumers about the defective floorboards in the Nissan Altima from model years 2002-2006.
DOJ sues HCR Manor Care, alleges it provided medically unnecessary services
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Legal Newsline) - The federal government is suing skilled nursing chain HCR Manor Care, alleging that the health care provider “knowingly and routinely” submitted false claims for services that were not medically reasonable and necessary.