Dee Thompson News
Class action against Water of Life Community Church over investment adviser continues
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A district court has ruled that a lawsuit against a church by two of its former members will continue. The members claimed that the church required them to attend financial planning courses conducted by a member who had lost his license to sell securities.
Court denies Hobby Lobby's motion to dismiss pricing lawsuit
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A class action suit over Hobby Lobby’s pricing policies will continue despite Hobby Lobby moving to dismiss.
Mont. taxpayers lose class action; Courts rule they lack standing to sue
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) – The Montana Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's ruling throwing out a potential class action suit of individuals who paid property taxes “under protest” because of alleged government deficiencies.
Miss. SC rules for man who pawned TV he rented from Rent-A-Center
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that the rental agreement between Rent-A-Center and Brian Ray Pedigo did not compel arbitration, despite the fact that Pedigo had pawned the television he rented from them and then been jailed for it.
New Chicago ordinance requires hotels to equip employees with panic buttons
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A new city ordinance passed Oct. 11 by Chicago City Council will equip hotel workers with portable emergency contact devices in an effort to eliminate instances of sexual harassment or assault.
Vitatech International will only get original settlement amount in contract dispute, court rules
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – The California 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 3 has reversed and remanded a trial court’s judgment in a contract dispute in which the plaintiff wanted four times the agreed-upon settlement amount because the defendants allegedly didn’t pay the lower amount by the designated date.
Details of new Rhode Island sick leave law will leave employers scratching heads, attorney says
PROVIDENCE, R.I (Legal Newsline) – The Rhode Island Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act was signed into law in September with the intent of giving employees more paid time off, but some attorneys feel the new law is confusing and will cause more headaches for employers.
Ninth Circuit gives employers more flexibility to fight 'day-of-rest' claims
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) -- A federal appeals court based in San Francisco recently bucked California's pro-plaintiff trend by dismissing a class action lawsuit against Nordstrom, a Sacramento attorney says.
Muslim security guard gets $135K after religious, racial discrimination charges against employer
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – A security company sued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over allegations of racial and religious harassment of one of its employees has settled the case for $135,000 and injunctive relief.
Appellate court reverses attorney fee award in sex abuse case involving Boy Scouts
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) -- An appeals court has reversed a lower court’s award of attorneys fees to the defendants in a case of sexual abuse brought by a former Boy Scout whose initial complaint was dismissed.
Carnival escapes liability for girl killed by car while crossing street to Burger King
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - A carnival operator is not responsible for the death of a teenage carnival-goer who was crossing the street in the town of Derry, the New Hampshire Supreme Court has decided.
Ohio Supreme Court rules Columbia Gas of Ohio was right to cut off gas to homes where 'stray' gas a hazard
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – The Ohio Supreme Court has affirmed orders issued by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) deciding that Columbia Gas of Ohio was right to discontinue service to customers after stray gas was found near their properties.
Ocwen Financial on CFPB suit: Complaint 'riddled with pleading deficiencies,' should be dismissed
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A mortgage company under fire for its loan practices has filed a motion to dismiss, alleging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has abused its authority in filing the suit.
Gatorade's settlement over anti-water videogame could be problem for comparative advertising
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A videogame promoted by Gatorade encouraged users to pass up water in favor of its product, but the company's settlement with a state prosecutor could be a sign that companies should avoid similar marketing.
North Dakota Supreme Court dismisses appeal by woman whose car was repossessed
BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) – The North Dakota Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal of a woman who filed a class action lawsuit after her car was repossessed in 2007.
Delaware court rules mall owner not entitled to insurance coverage in fraud case
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) – In a class action lawsuit involving alleged overcharging for electricity at a Florida mall, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware has ruled that the mall owner and real estate management company are not entitled to insurance coverage in a fraud case filed by a hair salon and other tenants.
Father can't sue N.H. town after son injured trying to touch person on rope swing
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) – The New Hampshire Supreme Court recently ruled that the town of Chester was not liable for the injuries caused to a boy swimming at a pond on city property.
FDA action becomes issue in class action against maker of CoolSculpting System
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The defendant in a class action regarding a “cool sculpting” product supposed to reduce body fat is seeking dismissal of the suit.
Boy Scouts can't escape sexual abuse lawsuit; Attorney hopes clients receive apology and 'a big check'
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A recent court decision paves the way for three individuals who alleged they had been sexually abused by a former Boy Scout leader to get their day in court.
Exotic dancers avoid arbitration of certified class action in California
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – An appellate court in California has decided that a strip club sued by its former employees cannot compel arbitration.