News from December 2012
Neveda SC tightens 'open and obvious danger' doctrine
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) - The Nevada Supreme Court overruled a trial court's grant of summary judgment to Costco in the case of a man who alleged injuries from tripping and falling over a pallet placed in a store aisle.
Wash. SC votes 5-4 on 90-day pre-suit malpractice notice
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - In a malpractice case against a state hospital, a divided Washington State Supreme Court appeared to reverse precedent, finding the 90-day pre-suit notice required in malpractice actions against the state to be constitutional.
Indiana AG seeks to recover $143,000 in public funds
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller's office filed a lawsuit Friday against a former clerk-treasurer in the town of Chandler who allegedly misappropriated funds.
Tenn. AG announces temporary order against HRC Medical Centers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper announced a temporary order Friday that appoints a temporary receiver over HRC Medical Centers Inc. and forces its owners to stop making misleading claims.
S.D. SC says wife can't collect on arson claim
PIERRE, S.D. (Legal Newsline) - The South Dakota Supreme Court has affirmed that an "innocent insured" cannot collect her share of an insurance claim due to the conviction of her co-insured husband in connection with the arson of their business.
Immigrant wants to appeal guilty plea after learning of deportation consequences
DENVER (Legal Newsline) - A legal permanent resident living in Colorado may not seek post-conviction review of his guilty plea for felony possession with intent to distribute marijuana, but he can seek to withdraw the guilty plea through another legal procedure.
N.J. court affirms dismissal of asbestos case
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A New Jersey court has affirmed the trial court's decision to dismiss a case with prejudice "as a consequence of plaintiff's pervasive lies" during the discovery process.
W.Va. AG gets injunction against Liberty Mutual over spare auto parts
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) -- West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw announced Dec. 28 a permanent injunction against Liberty Mutual Insurance Company to prevent the insurer from violating consumer protection laws.
N.Y. AG announces more than $2 million going to underpaid workers
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the distribution Thursday of $2.25 million worth of restitution funds and payment of monitoring costs in two separate labor matters.
Mass. AG announces $1.7 million agreement with Chevron
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a $1.7 million settlement on Wednesday with Chevron USA Inc. and Texaco Downstream Properties Inc. to resolve allegations related to improper reimbursement claims.
Idaho AG recovers $2.9 million in drug pricing settlement
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced a $2.9 million drug pricing settlement Thursday with Pfizer Inc. and Pharmacia Corp. to resolve claims related to reported average wholesale prices.
N.Y. AG releases year-end report
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman released his end-of-the-year review Thursday, detailing his office's accomplishments, including economic justice, taxpayer protection, civil rights and labor enforcement.
Fla. debt relief co. to refund money to N.C. consumers
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper has announced that a Florida debt relief firm will pay $100,000 in refunds for failing to provide meaningful help to consumers.
N.Y. AG files motion against synthetic drug manufacturer
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has announced the filing of a motion seeking penalties and fines against a company for allegedly marketing synthetic drugs.
N.J. apartment complex to pay over Section 8 rental denial
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa has announced that a Middlesex County apartment complex had agreed to pay $22,5000 to resolve allegations that it denied housing to a man over rental subsidies.
ADA lawsuits see increase in New Orleans area
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - The number of lawsuits against businesses allegedly in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has grown over the past few years in the New Orleans area.
List spotlights year's most ridiculous lawsuits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A lawsuit by a driver who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and then sued a victim that he killed tops the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform's survey of the Top Ten Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2012, released Thursday.
Film documents business closure because of lawsuits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A new short film examines the final week of business for a small business before frivolous lawsuits forced it to close down.
Jackson leaving EPA
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Lisa Jackson on Thursday said she will be resigning from her position as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
W.Va. AG goes after unlawful debt collection firms
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw announced subpoena enforcement action filings against three companies for allegedly unlawful debt collection activities.