News from December 2017
Md. lawsuit moved to Talbot County; Plaintiffs preferred Baltimore, though they would have driven past Talbot courthouse on way
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) – The Court of Appeals of Maryland on Sept. 6 upheld a ruling by the Circuit Court of Baltimore City that a hearing over the medical treatment given to a 15-year-old boy be transferred from Baltimore City to Talbot County.
Security guard can sue employer after falling down stairs
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Is a standard contract signed at employment ordering the employee not to file suit if injured on a customer’s premises contrary to public policy? In the case of a security guard injured at a client’s business, the answer is yes, according to a recent New Jersey Supreme Court ruling.
Mississippi Supreme Court affirms wrongful death suit is time-barred
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – The Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed a judgment of a circuit court in finding that a man’s lawsuit against doctors alleging negligence in the wrongful death of his mother was barred by a statute of limitations.
Company's conversion lawsuit against investor, law firms is dismissed
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The California Court of Appeals, 2nd Appellate District Division One on Nov. 16 upheld a decision of the Los Angeles Superior Court dismissing allegations of fraudulent conversion and transfer of funds in a case that has gone on since 2003 in both state and federal courts, as well as courts in Switzerland.
Justice Department: Major oncology group violated False Claims Act, will pay $26 million
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 12 that 21st Century Oncology Inc. and certain subsidiaries will pay $26 million after allegations of False Claims Act violations.
Justice Department: Three companies liable for Sheboygan Superfind site to pay $4.5 million
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 12 that Tecumseh Products Co., Thomas Industries Inc., and Wisconsin Public Service Corp. will pay more than $4.5 million after allegations of natural resource damages at the Sheboygan River & Harbor Superfund Site.
‘Problematic’ lawsuits pose danger to science, researcher says
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – Sometimes making a scientific discovery is only half the battle, as Dr. Aaron Carroll found out after researching and writing an article on the effects of artificial sweeteners.
FTC, FCC sign memorandum to coordinate consumer protection on Internet
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced Dec. 11 that they intend to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to coordinate different efforts to protect consumers online after the Restoring Internet Freedom order.
FTC OKs final order in Moonlight Slumber 'organic' marketing case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 12 that the agency has finalized a public comment period and approved a final consent order that settles allegations against Moonlight Slumber LLC, which makes “organic” products. It is the FTC’s first case involving “organic” product claims.
FTC: Work-at-home scheme operators banned from selling business coaching services
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 14 that the operators of an alleged work-at-home scheme have been banned from selling business opportunities and business coaching services.
UPDATE: W.Va. SOS has questions about probe of Davis' 2012 contributions
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Secretary of State’s office is questioning how the Kanawha County Prosecutor’s Office handled an investigation into some campaign contributions to Justice Robin Jean Davis’s 2012 re-election campaign.
SEC: Biopharmaceutical company liable for former CEO's accounting violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Dec. 12 that it has charged Provectus, a biopharmaceutical company based in Tennessee, alleging a series of accounting controls and disclosure violations.
SEC halts $15 million ICO after allegations of unregistered securities
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Dec. 11 that Munchee Inc. has halted its initial coin offering (ICO) after allegations involving unregistered securities offers and sales.
EEOC accuses Aarons of race-based harassment at Queens warehouse
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Dec. 13 against Aarons Inc., a rent-to-own store chain that operates nationally, alleging race-based harassment of black employees.
Transcription fees apply to both court-employed and litigant-hired reporters, appeals court rules
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Civil litigation attorneys in California might want to check their past court reporting invoices following an appeals court ruling that statutory limits on transcription fees apply to both court-employed and privately retained reporters.
Christian pro-life singer loses libel case against YouTube
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A Christian pro-life singer and songwriter who claimed she was libeled when YouTube removed her video in 2014 on an alleged terms of service violation has failed to state a claim in her libel case against the online video service, an appeals court recently ruled.
Consumer files suit over alleged amount of slack-fill in Herbal Zen Nutrition protein powder container
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A consumer claims a brand of protein powder is sold in a container with 41 percent slack-fill.
Individual alleges Starz ignored subscription cancellation requests
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A Bronx County, New York consumer has filed a class-action lawsuit against a global media and entertainment company over allegations it prevents consumers from canceling a free trial.
Consumer claims Ace Parking Management's receipt violated FACTA
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A San Diego County, California man alleges that a company unlawfully printed the full expiration date of his debit card on a receipt.
Chuhak & Tecson PC, others alleged to have sold fraudulent tax credits
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – Several individuals alleged they were induced into purchasing fraudulent tax credits.