News from November 2014
Pa. Supreme Court agrees to hear Ford’s appeal of $1M asbestos jury verdict
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear Ford Motor Company’s appeal out of the Pennsylvania Superior Court, which affirmed a $1 million jury verdict in favor of a former auto mechanic in an asbestos action.
Fifth Circuit: District court did not abuse broad discretion in denying class certification
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled that a lower court did not err when it denied class certification in a lawsuit against a grocery store chain for alleged Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act violations.
Consumer Reports' claims result in class actions, removal of yogurt from Whole Foods' shelves
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Whole Foods Market has removed a Greek yogurt from its shelves after Consumer Reports looked into its sugar content and class action lawsuits were filed against the company.
Korean company sues McAfee for allegedly infringing anti-virus, firewall patents
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A Korean company last week sued the world’s largest dedicated security technology company for allegedly infringing on its patents for anti-virus and firewall software.
Maryland Judiciary warns against telephone jury duty fraud
The Maryland Judiciary has issued a warning to the public about ongoing "court" scams in the state.
Calif. AG sues Indian tribe over online bingo
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris recently filed a lawsuit against the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel for alleged Internet gaming.
New class action claims NCAA has 'monopsony' over athletes
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Three former college athletes are the latest to file a class action lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association, claiming it and 11 athletic conferences have created “monopsony” power over college athletes.
Texas company accuses Apple of infringing patents for undeliverable messages
MARSHALL, Texas (Legal Newsline) - A Texas-based wireless communications company last week sued Apple Inc. for allegedly infringing on two of its patents for technology related to transmitting and storing undeliverable text and email messages.
Boston hospital to pay patients, employees for security breach
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston will pay $100,000 in penalties and fines after personal information was stolen from nearly 4,000 employees and patients during a security breach, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Friday.
Maryland judges engage students in civics discussion at Thomas Stone High School
On December 2, judges from Maryland's courts will engage with high school students in Charles County to discuss legal topics.
District court told to find out how much is at stake in class action against Standard Insurance
DENVER (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has ruled that disputes concerning the amount in controversy must be resolved in a class action lawsuit before the court can establish jurisdiction under the Class Action Fairness Act.
Sixth Circuit won't pierce corporate veil in class action against real estate companies
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has ruled that circumstantial evidence is insufficient to support "piercing the corporate veil" in a class action lawsuit against real estate companies.
Class action accuses New Whey Nutrition of protein-spiking
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit claims that New Whey Nutrition LLC fraudulently bulked up its Multi-Pro Whey product with a cheaper product that passes tests for protein content but is not actually whey protein.
Samoan company sues Pier 1 Imports over lighting patent
TYLER, Texas (Legal Newsline) - A Samoan company is suing home furnishings and decor retailer Pier 1 Imports for allegedly infringing its patent for decorative lights.
Former franchise owners file RICO class action against AAMCO
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Two former AAMCO Transmissions Inc. franchise owners recently filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of other franchisees, claiming the company, its affiliates and corporate representatives fraudulently induced them to purchase a franchise or continue to operate a franchise.
AT&T settles with California for $24 million
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - AT&T will pay a $23.8 million settlement to the state of California that will resolve allegations that it illegally disposed of hazardous waste in the state over a nine-year period, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced on Thursday.
Wis. AG says company filed tax returns without customers' consent
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen filed a lawsuit against Kaleb Paulos on Thursday for allegedly engaging in deceptive business practices.
Vt. dairy farm paying $40K in fines over alleged manure discharge
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - A Franklin County, Vt., dairy farm agreed to pay $40,000 in fines after it allegedly dumped its manure discharge into a local stream, Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell said on Thursday.
Ariz. AG files lawsuit against General Motors over ignition switches
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne filed a lawsuit against General Motors LLC on Thursday, claiming the company threatened motorists' safety by covering up ignition switch defects in its vehicles.