News from March 2011
Calif. SC sends old case back to appeals court
Chin SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The California Supreme Court, in a ruling Monday, has remanded a lawsuit to an appeals court to decide whether the nearly seven-year-old case should continue.
Conn. utility department fines AT&T
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut utility regulators have put one of the state's largest telecommunications companies on notice that the safety of its citizens cannot be ignored, state Attorney General George Jepsen said in a statement Wednesday.
Contractor not subject to liability cap, Colo. SC rules
Rice DENVER (Legal Newsline) - The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that a bus driver was not a public employee entitled to immunity under the state's Governmental Immunity Act and that his employer also wasn't entitled to it.
W.Va. House passes bill for funding SC elections
Chief Justice Margaret Workman CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill that would increase fees on court filings and lawyers to help fund state Supreme Court elections.
Group says Calif. SC decision causing confusion
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The president of the Civil Justice Association of California is asking the state Supreme Court to consider making certain rulings prospective only, pointing to a recent decision by the court.
McKenna settles with debt relief company
McKenna SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna announced on Thursday that his office has reached an $800,000 settlement agreement with a debt relief company that allegedly violated the state's Consumer Protection and Debt Adjusting acts.
Ala. SC: Trial court asked for 'volunteers' to serve on jury
Woodall MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - The Alabama Supreme Court has overturned an $8.5 million verdict against Ford Motor Company.
Workers' Comp decision upheld in Alaska
Fabe JUNEAU, Alaska (Legal Newsline) - The Alaska Supreme Court has affirmed the decision of the state Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission that denied a Wal-Mart employee's claim for disability benefits.
Madigan sues law firm
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Tuesday that she has filed a lawsuit against a national legal firm that allegedly charged upfront fees for its debt settlement services, but went back on its promises.
W.Va. Senate passes appellate court bill
Kessler CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) -- The push for an intermediate appellate court is now headed to the House of Delegates.
Almost 100K false claims to oil spill fund, Feinberg says
Feinberg NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Gulf Coast Claims Administrator Kenneth Feinberg told a group of foreign journalists Monday that close to 100,000 claims submitted as a result of the BP oil spill "lack proof."
UPS settles lawsuit over truck quality
Schneiderman ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Tuesday a $1.3 million settlement with United Parcel Service.
Pa. bill would let doctors apologize
Turzai HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Legislation that would allow doctors to apologize without worrying if it will come up in court has passed Pennsylvania's House of Representatives.
W.Va. SC will hear arguments on med-mal caps
Chief Justice Margaret Workman CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Winners of a $629,000 judgment in a medical malpractice trial will plead for more at the Supreme Court of Appeals, claiming a cap on their recovery violates the West Virginia Constitution.
Barn owner pays for asbestos burning
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced on Wednesday that he has reached a $17,000 settlement with the owner of a barn who was allegedly party to burning that barn, violating environmental laws in the process.
Dow suing work-at-home company
Dow NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow announced on Wednesday that she has filed a lawsuit against a work-at-home company and its owner, alleging that they defrauded state consumers.
Olens looking for more transparency
Olens ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens is looking to strengthen and clarify the state's current Open Records and Open Meetings laws.
Proper debt collection is legal, Mo. group reminds
Koster GROVER, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - The Missouri Collectors Association, following a report by the Attorney General's Office that debt collection is the state's top consumer complaint, says debt collection is not a scam.
Ala. AG: Oil spill master complaint is optional
Strange NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Speaking at a Feb. 25 status conference for the multidistrict litigation surrounding the BP oil spill, plaintiffs attorneys sought to reassure states and municipalities of their sovereignty when it comes to filing claims.
Koster files suit over underground tanks
Koster NEW MADRID, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced on Monday that he has filed a lawsuit against a man who allegedly violated the state's Underground Storage Tank law.