News from March 2016
California woman alleges Kentech furnished inaccurate report
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A California woman is suing a consumer reporting agency and a global diagnostic device and service provider after she allegedly lost a job opportunity because of an inaccurate background check.
Attorney: Effect of Mich. whistleblower decision to be seen
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) – It remains to be seen how broad an impact, if any, a recent Michigan Supreme Court decision will have on certain Whistleblower Protection Act cases, a Detroit attorney says.
Fifth Circuit sides with employee in dispute over arbitration agreement
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently determined that an employee’s discrimination lawsuit should stay in federal court because the employment arbitration agreement didn’t give advance notice of changes, making it unenforceable.
DraftKings challenges AG's opinion in Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — DraftKings has filed a lawsuit challenging Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's assertion that daily fantasy sports likely constitute illegal gambling under state law.
Amusement park company dismissed from seasonal workers' class action
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — A Florida amusement park company is the latest to be dismissed from a proposed class-action suit in which H-2B visa guest workers claim they haven’t been paid for work they did in 2013 when the U.S. Department of Labor allowed the companies to appeal a wage increase.
Judge tosses claims against Whole Foods based on Consumer Reports' testing of yogurt
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - A lawsuit alleging that Greek yogurt at Whole Foods contained more sugar than listed on the label was dismissed earlier this month after a judge found the testing methods cited by plaintiffs attorneys were not stringent enough.
N.Y. personal injury law firm being sued for legal malpractice
A Florida man and his wife filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this month against Goidel & Siegel LLP, alleging the firm and its attorneys failed to properly represent them in a lawsuit against the owners of two Mississippi hotels.
Justice Department reaches deal with German shipping companies charged with illegal oil dumping
PENSACOLA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The Justice Department has announced that the German shipping companies Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG and Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG MS “Extum,” who owned and operated the cargo ship M/V BBC Magellan, agreed to pay $1.25 million over allegations of failing to maintain an accurate oil record book.
Central Regional Dental Testing Service will pay $70,000 for alleged illegal document dumps
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Central Regional Dental Testing Service Inc. will pay a $70,000 civil penalty and reimburse the attorney general’s costs after allegations it illegally dumped personal documents, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced.
New Rhode Island bill could mandate insurance companies cover substance abuse disorders
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) – Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Sen. Elizabeth A. Crowley, D-District 16-Central Falls, Pawtucket, is sponsoring a bill that would mandate insurance companies must cover at least 90 days of residential or inpatient services for medical health and substance abuse disorders.
New York AG settles with landlord after allegations of mishandling security deposits
POTSDAM, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that Karl H. Schreyer, a St. Lawrence County residential landlord, has agreed to reform his business practices after allegations of mishandling tenant security deposits.
Maryland AG praises government decision to shelve Atlantic Ocean drilling plans
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh praised the U.S. Department of the Interior’s motion to shelve oil drilling plans in the Atlantic Ocean Outer Continental Shelf in a recent statement.
Florida AG strikes deal with You Fit over allegedly failing to disclose hidden fees
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office announced an assurance of voluntary compliance with You Fit LLC after allegations the company conducted false marketing and advertising.
Texas AG claims federal government mishandled state boundary survey
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that a district court has allowed Texas to intervene in a case that would establish what Texas believes is its rightful boundary for land near the Red River.
Manhattan restaurateur to pay $15,000 for allegedly keeping tips meant for employees
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Wallace Lai, the owner of two Manhattan restaurants, will pay $15,000 for alleged wage underpayments, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced.
LoanCare, American Security Insurance sued over allegedly unlawful profits
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – A Florida woman and a New York woman are suing a mortgage servicer and an insurance company over claims their agreement provides for unlawful kickbacks.
Tennessee doctor alleges Stericycle wrongfully raises fees
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) – A Tennessee man is suing a medical waste removal services company over claims it wrongfully raises its fees annually.
Florida's 11th Circuit strikes down credit card surcharge law
A recent decision from the 11th Circuit Court in Florida could have a big impact on credit card transactions in the state.
FTC files amicus brief in case of alleged-reverse payment agreement
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, asking the court to correct legal errors in an antitrust analysis of an alleged reverse-payment agreement between GlaxoSmithLine, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Anchen Pharmaceuticals.
California man alleges Van Heusen engaged in price scheming
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California man is suing a clothing retailer, alleging it offered phantom price discounts.