News from December 2017
New York high court rules on notification of class settlements
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – The New York Court of Appeals has affirmed that even if class actions are settled before the class is certified, potential class members must be sent notices of the settlement.
Jersey Central Power & Light loses appeal of $650,000 verdict to woman who fell in hole
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A New Jersey appeals court has upheld a lower court’s ruling awarding $650,000 in damages to a homeowner who fell in a hole left by a power company worker on her property.
North American Butterfly Association seeks to enjoin construction of proposed border wall
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The owner of a butterfly center in South Texas alleges that the proposed border wall would cut off two-thirds of its property.
Patients allege fraud by concealment against surgeon at West Chester Hospital LLC facility
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) – Three individuals allege that a drug was fraudulently implanted in them during surgeries without their consent.
Consumers claim Amazon didn't inform them payment methods were stored
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Two Amazon customers allege that the company fails to notify customers that it automatically stores payment methods.
New York secures $8 million for Tenant Restitution Fund in settlement with major landlord
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Dec. 20 that Steve Croman, a major landlord in New York City, has agreed to settle allegations of illegal business practices.
New York auto dealership group accused of deception claims
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a lawsuit Dec. 20 against Victory Motors LLC (Victory Mitsubishi of Larchmont) and Victory Auto Group LLC (Victory Suzuki of the Bronx) for allegations of deception.
EEOC: Michigan restaurant discriminated against at least 3 pregnant employees
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 15 that Ichiban Japanese Restaurant LLC will pay $35,000 after allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
EEOC: Tennessee cruise company pays $50,000 after retaliation allegations
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 18 that American Queen Steamboat Company, a cruise business in Memphis, will pay $50,000 after allegations of retaliation.
EEOC: North Dakota company settles sexual orientation discrimination with $70,000 penalty
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 20 that Rocky Mountain Casing Crews (RMCC) will pay a $70,000 penalty after allegations of sexual harassment and sexual orientation discrimination.
North Carolina Bojangles' restaurant settles sex harassment case, pays $15,000 penalty
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 20 that Bojangles’ Restaurants Inc., a fast food chain corporation with headquarters in North Carolina, has agreed to pay $15,000 penalty after allegations of sex harassment and discrimination.
EEOC: North Dakota hospital fired pregnant employee
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 20 that Trinity Health, which does business as Trinity Hospital in Minot, North Dakota, has agreed to a $95,000 settlement after allegations of pregnancy and disability discrimination.
U.S. New York settle with Honeywell in Onondaga Lake Superfund site case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 20 it has joined with the New York State Office of the Attorney General (NYSOAG) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to settle with Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) and Onondaga County over allegations of contaminating Onondaga Lake.
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Customer alleges Wal-Mart failed to honor its written return policy
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) – A Walmart customer alleges he was not refunded sales tax when he returned purchased items in violation of the company's policy.
Consumer alleges Buffalo Wild Wings, others sent him unwanted text messages
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A consumer has filed a class-action lawsuit against a restaurant chain and other entities over allegations it sent him text message advertisements without his consent.
Consumer files false advertising suit over natural label used on Huggies Natural Care wipes
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A Dublin, California consumer alleges that a brand of baby wipes is falsely advertised as natural.
Consumer claims Loews Corp. did not provide notice of automatic gratuity
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – A New York consumer alleges a Florida hotel's restaurants failed to provide notice that an automatic gratuity is charged to a customer's bill.
International customer claims Enterprise Holdings, others did not provide insurance
ORLANDO (Legal Newsline) – An England resident alleges car rental companies did not provide liability insurance despite customers paying for it.
Freedom of information advocates baffled by state Supreme Court justice's ruling
DES MOINES (Legal Newsline) - Freedom of information advocates remain baffled by the decision from a state Supreme Court justice to bar a newspaper from publishing publicly available information.
Supreme Court of Georgia reverses summary judgment in wrongful death case
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – The Georgia Supreme Court on Dec. 11 said lower courts erred when they awarded summary judgment to Grady Memorial Hospital Corp. in a wrongful death lawsuit.