News from July 2014
Paul Ryan asks FEC for permission to buy his own book
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Rep Paul Ryan is asking the Federal Election Commission for permission to buy his own book with campaign funds.
Crowdpac seeks confirmation from FEC to collect fees on political donations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Instead of going to a candidate's individual website to donate, Crowdpac wants to offer web surfers the opportunity to browse an array of candidates and donate on site.
Calif. appeals court rules for railway company in secondary asbestos exposure case
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California appeals court recently held that a railway company did not owe a duty of care to a construction worker's wife who allegedly suffered secondary asbestos exposure because it could not be held responsible for premises liability claims based on the Campbell decision.
Calif. SC backs employee's right to bring private attorneys general action
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - The Supreme Court of California has ruled that the Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 does not violate the principle of separation of powers under the California Constitution and that the Federal Arbitration Act does not preempt a state law that prohibits waiver of PAGA representative actions in an employment contract.
Nev. SC overturns dismissal of cab drivers' minimum wage arguments
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) - The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled in a 4-3 decision that a district court erred in holding that the Minimum Wage Amendment did not entirely replace the existing statutory minimum wage scheme, which exempts taxicab drivers from its minimum wage provisions.
La. U.S. Senate race: Candidate promises to 'pop the door off the hinges' if elected
HOUMA, La. (Legal Newsline) - If elected, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate is promising to "pop the door off the hinges" of his Washington office.
Fla. SC approves $25K fine against judge over campaign finance breach
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The Florida Supreme Court has sanctioned a $25,000 fine against a Seminole County judge who admitted to violating the state's campaign finance laws.
Woman hit in face by foul ball loses case against Ind. independent league team
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - The Indiana Supreme Court held on Friday that an independent league baseball team provided sufficient warnings to a fan who suffered broken bones and permanent loss of vision in one eye after being hit with a foul ball.
Gardner Denver's request for judgment denied in N.Y. electrician's asbestos case
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A New York judge has denied an air compressor manufacture's motion for summary judgment in an electrician's asbestos lawsuit, finding that the plaintiff presented appropriate triable issues of fact regarding his alleged exposure.
Calif. SC rules newspaper carriers are entitled to class treatment as employees
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The Supreme Court of California has ruled that newspaper carriers are entitled to class treatment as employees rather than being required to pursue individual claims in a class action lawsuit against Antelope Valley Newspapers by four newspaper carriers.
Class action alleges Caterpillar made defective engines
DENVER (Legal Newsline) - A class action has been filed against Caterpillar Inc. after class members claim two of its heavy duty diesel engines are defective.
Republican holds financial edge in Nev. AG race
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) - Adam Laxalt, the Republican candidate for attorney general, has more than his family name going for him. He's also outraised his Democratic rival so far in 2014, with a little help from out-of-state donors.
Former members of asbestos claims resolution group can sue bankrupt co-member
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has held that former members of a group designed to resolve asbestos-related personal injury claims are permitted to raise breach of contract claims against a bankrupt company for its alleged failure to pay contractually obligated settlements and expenses exceeding $250 million.