News from July 2017
California appeal court sides with defendants in product liability case against The Raymond Co.
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – California’s 4th District Court of Appeal has overturned a grant of summary judgment in a product liability case.
Wash. Supreme Court sides with Seattle in landmark ordinance case against UW
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – The University of Washington must follow the city of Seattle’s landmark law, according to a ruling by the Washington state Supreme Court.
Mass. AG: Law firm clogged courts with more than 200K lawsuits
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced July 27 that Lustig, Glaser & Wilson PC and its two principals, Ronald E. Lustig and Kenneth C. Wilson, will pay $1 million in restitution after allegations of widespread consumer abuses that impacted thousands of consumers in the state.
Puerto Rico steakhouse agrees to EEOC settlement regarding age discrimination allegations
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced July 24 that Meat Market LLC, a steakhouse in San Juan, Puerto Rico, will pay a monetary amount to unsuccessful job applicants and better maintain a workplace free from discrimination after allegations of age discrimination.
MagnaCare to return $14.5 million to ERISA-covered health plans after alleged violations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced July 25 that MagnaCare LLC will return at least $14.5 million to health benefit plans covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) after allegations of ERISA violations.
EEOC targets New York trucking company for alleged disability discrimination
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit July 27 against Regional International Corporation, a commercial truck and trailer dealership with locations in western New York, over allegations of firing an employee who requested leave for hip replacement surgery.
Virginia secures settlement with credit lender that allegedly violated Consumer Protection Act
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) — Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced July 25 that Alternative Finance Company, an open-end credit lender in Virginia Beach, will provide refunds and debt forgiveness to roughly 600 consumers after allegations of violating the Virginia statutes applicable to consumer finance companies and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (VCPA).
EEOC alleges Georgia Dollar General guilty of disability discrimination in hiring
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit July 25 against the owner-operator of a Dollar General store in Georgia for allegations of discriminating against a job applicant because of her disability and because she complained to the company’s human resources department about the discrimination.
Houston company to pay $145,000 EEOC settlement after alleged disability discrimination
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced July 21 that Chemtrusion Inc., a manufacturing services company in Houston, will pay $145,000 after allegations of disability discrimination.
EEOC secures $10.5 million settlement with Bass Pro after allegations of discrimination
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced July 25 that Bass Pro Outdoor World LLC will pay $10.5 million after allegations of hiring discrimination and retaliation.
SEC charges Halliburton with violating Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced July 27 that it has charged Halliburton Company with allegations of violating the books and records and internal accounting controls provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
EEOC accuses Mississippi hospital of disability discrimination
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit July 26 against Wesley Health System LLC, which does business as Merit Health Wesley and operates a general medical and surgical hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for allegations of failing to provide reasonable accommodation to a disabled employee.
Arizona family accuses social media platforms of violating anti-terrorism act
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — An Arizona family is suing three social media platforms , alleging negligence and violation of federal law.
Couple's meso claim against Pasadena filed too late
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – California’s 2nd District Court of Appeals has ruled that a couple who filed a complaint against the city of Pasadena following a mesothelioma diagnosis failed to comply with the Government Claims Act.
Illinois Supreme Court rules Chicago tax on rental cars doesn't apply to suburban companies
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) – The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that rental car companies operating in Chicago suburbs are exempt from paying a tax on the rental of cars inside the city.
Ohio Supreme Court affirms disability ruling in favor of injured worker
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – The Supreme Court of Ohio has affirmed an appeals court's ruling against freight shipping company R&L Carriers Shared Services LLC in a disability compensation dispute filed by the Industrial Commission of Ohio and one of R&L Carriers’ employees.
N.J. court affirms dismissal of False Claims Act lawsuit against credit card processors
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A New Jersey appeals court has affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a man who alleged credit card processors had evaded state fees and violated the state’s False Claims Act.
Calif. court sinks marine mechanic’s negligence lawsuit against container terminal company and its contractors
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – On July 20, a California appeals court upheld a lower court’s summary judgment in favor of Evergreen Container Terminal and two of its contractors in a negligence lawsuit filed by a marine mechanic allegedly injured while performing maintenance at a marine container terminal leased by the company.
Indiana court denies liquor license to company that already has beer license
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – On July 21, the Indiana Supreme Court, citing anti-monopoly liquor licensing statutes, overturned a trial court ruling granting Spirited Sales LLC a wholesale liquor license.
Kansas court defines 'cargo' in Midwest Crane & Rigging appeal of fine
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) – The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that a crane permanently bolted to a truck chassis does not qualify as cargo, nor does it make the truck a commercial motor vehicle under the Unified Carrier Registration Act.