News from January 2012
Mo. SC upholds cap on punitive damages
Stith JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - The Missouri Supreme Court upheld the state's cap on punitive damages Tuesday in a case in which a jury awarded $1 million in damages and only $4,500 in compensation.
Quaker City courts have troubled history; some reject 'plaintiff-friendly' criticism
Dembe PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania is known as the Quaker State and Philadelphia as the Quaker City because both were founded by William Penn, who was a member of the Society of Friends - also called Quakers.
Del. SC says firm's fee must be deducted before lien
Steele DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) - The Delaware Supreme Court said last week a law firm's agreed contingent fee must be deducted from a client's recovery before a hospital lien attaches.
Japanese auto parts dealers fined for price fixing
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) - Two Japanese suppliers of automotive electrical components have pleaded guilty and fined a total of $548 million for participating in price-fixing and bid-rigging conspiracies for automobile parts sales to American manufacturers.
Ariz. AG says transmission shop violating judgment
Horne PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne announced his request for a court order on Monday against a Tempe-based transmission shop and its principals for alleged violations of a July consent judgment.
Md. high court: Allergy is a handicap
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) - The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled last week that a lower court's jury was presented with "sufficient evidence" to determine that a woman suffering from a latex allergy was the victim of discrimination.
Joplin contractor settles allegations
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a settlement on Monday with a Joplin contractor resolving allegations of failing to provide tornado victims in Joplin with services for which they paid.
LPS seeks dismissal of Nev. AG's robo-signing lawsuit
Masto LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) - Lender Processing Services is asking a Nevada judge to dismiss the robo-signing lawsuit filed against it by Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto.
Mich. SC: Judge fixed traffic tickets
Young LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - The Michigan Supreme Court last week ordered a district court judge be removed from office for misconduct, including "fixing" traffic citations issued to himself, his wife and his staff.
Thirty-three states settle antitrust claims
Koster WASHINGTON, D.C. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced on Tuesday that Missouri and 32 other states have settled antitrust claims with two pharmaceutical companies.
Pa. SC: Doctor can be sued for emotional distress
SCRANTON, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that a doctor can be sued for emotional distress despite a lack of physical negligence.
Texas AG, minority group begin negotiations over redistricting
Abbott SAN ANTONIO (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's office and a minority group opposing the state's redrawn redistricting maps are reportedly negotiating a settlement in order to meet an April 3 primary deadline.
Workers rights group seeks to disqualify NLRB appointee
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Attorneys for the National Right to Work Foundation filed motions Monday with the National Labor Relations Board seeking to disqualify President Barack Obama's recent appointees.
Idaho AG settles AWP case
Wasden BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced a settlement on Monday with Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Mylan Laboratories Inc. that resolves the state's claims related to average wholesale prices reported by the companies.
Ariz. AG says man violated old court order
Horne PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne filed a petition on Friday in Maricopa County Superior Court alleging that a Phoenix-area man violated an 18-year-old court order related to a deceptive home improvement scheme.
Iowa judge assesses $60K penalty against non-profit
Miller CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced on Friday that a $60,000 civil penalty has been assessed against Affordable Housing Network Inc. for multiple asbestos-related violations during a 2009-2010 renovation.
Challenger says W.Va. AG been in office 'too long'
Morrisey CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The Republican who has filed to run for Attorney General against Darrell McGraw says he intends to take a fresh look at the role of the office.
Ill. court will hear $17.8M asbestos appeal
Wylder SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Fourth District appellate judges will review a $17.8 million jury verdict from a McLean County asbestos conspiracy trial at oral arguments on Feb. 7.
U.S. AG details goals of new mortgage crisis unit
Schneiderman WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The formation of a new national mortgage crisis unit is now official.
U.S. Rep. says he supports Calif. AG's decision on mortgage deal
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A senior Democrat on a U.S. House committee says he supports California Attorney General Kamala Harris' decision to reject a rumored $25 billion deal with the nation's top mortgage servicers.