News from February 2016
Confusing tax laws led to class actions against franchisees, Dunkin' Brands spokesman says
“State tax rates and laws are extremely complex, which often leads to confusion, especially for small business owners like our franchisees,” Drake said. “For example, in New Jersey, a consumer must pay tax on a bottled water if purchased at a restaurant like Dunkin' Donuts, but that same bottle of water is not subject to tax if it is purchased at a convenience store.”
Class actions filed against daily fantasy sports websites consolidated
Earlier this month, six members of the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation selected the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to handle the lawsuits against DraftKings Inc. and FanDuel Inc.
Maryland Court to hear appeals related to Freddie Gray's arrest and death
The Maryland Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments on March 3, 2016, concerning five cases linked to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray.
EEOC alleges Two Hawk Employment Services violated ADA
RALEIGH, North Carolina (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Two Hawk Employment Services LLC, alleging violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Chicago plaintiffs firm is plaintiff in class action lawsuit against telecom company
Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP argues that XO Communications Services LLC failed to properly notify the law firm of its contract’s automatic renewal and then charged the firm excessive early termination fees.
EEOC, Mint Julep Restaurant settle for $450,000 over sexual harassment allegations
MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Legal Newsline) — In a settlement agreement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Mint Julep Restaurant Operations LLC will pay $450,000 to 15 individuals and furnish other relief due to allegations of sexual harassment.
Cessna to pay $167,500 over disability discrimination allegations
MILWAUKEE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has reached a deal with Cessna Aircraft Company that will have the Wichita, Kansas-based organization pay $167,500 and furnish other relief over disability discrimination allegations.
Asbestos firm attempting to block racketeering claims by John Crane Inc.
On Friday, the plaintiffs firm Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett filed a breach of contract lawsuit against John Crane Inc. in Los Angeles federal court. The firm, which has an office in that city, is also asking a judge to rule that JCI is breaching previous settlement agreements.
Attorney: Certification in Iowa class action bucks recent trend of judges' decisions
Plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification in Muscatine County District Court seeking to certify a class of residents who lived within 1.5 miles of the Grain Processing Corporation's facility and alleged lost-use-and-enjoyment damages as a result of emissions from the defendant’s corn milling plant.
Michigan man alleges Life360 sent unsolicited messages
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A Michigan man is suing the operator of a social network, alleging it sent unsolicited text message calls.
Plaintiffs allege Nationstar, Solutionstar charge illegal property inspections
SACRAMENTO, California (Legal Newsline) - Eleven U.S. citizens are suing a loan servicer and its affiliate, alleging they illegally charge fraudulent "property inspections."
Investor alleges Skullcandy made false statements
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) - An investor is suing an audio and gaming accessories company and several of its chief officers, alleging they made false and misleading statements to investors.
Two customers allege Honest Company falsely labels products
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Two New York residents are suing a personal care and household care company, alleging it misleadingly, falsely and deceptively labels its products.
Florida man alleges Facebook sends unsolicited texts
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A Florida man is suing Facebook, alleging it sends unsolicited texts to his cell phone.
Customers allege Costco misleadingly labels coconut oil product
SANTA ANA, California (Legal Newsline) - Two California residents are suing Costco, alleging it misleadingly labels its coconut oil product as healthier than other butter and oil products.
Settlement with Jets cheerleaders could affect rest of NFL
The Jets, who paid more than $150 million to players for the 2015 season, agreed to pay their cheerleaders $324,000 in back wages. The cheerleaders alleged they were not paid for practices and were required to work "off-the-clock" at home.
Comcast the latest telephone service provider to be hit with lawsuit over 911 fees in Georgia
The company was served with a complaint by both Cobb and Gwinnett counties last month. Comcast now wants the lawsuit removed to federal court. The counties began filing lawsuits against various service providers in December.
NYC Marathon operator says processing fee for applications isn't illegal
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – The organization that runs the New York City Marathon, in a response to a class action lawsuit that alleges the method used to select participants amounts to an illegal lottery, is defending its practices.
Plaintiffs bar, blind clients increasingly targeting companies’ websites with disabilities lawsuits
Defense attorneys say there has been an “explosion of activity” from payment-seeking plaintiffs lawyers and their blind clients who are alleging violations of federal disabilities law in lawsuits over companies’ websites – particularly in three jurisdictions.
Fifth Circuit rules class action over mineral interests should stay in federal court
A majority of the federal appeals court sided with a group of oil and gas companies in a lawsuit filed by a class of 3,000-5,000 post-foreclosure owners of disputed mineral interests. The judges said the plaintiff’s state court petition was ambiguous as to the scope of the proposed class and therefore should not be remanded to a Texas state court.