News from March 2017
Massachusetts wins preliminary injunction against tax preparer for alleged fraud
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced March 6 that her office’s request for preliminary injunction against Samuel M. Dangaiso and his unregistered company Tax Enterprises has been granted.
Rehab service alleges Baker Donelson law firm cost it $1 million
Plaintiff The Summit Health and Rehab Services Inc. filed its lawsuit against Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC in Hinds County Circuit Court in Mississippi Jan. 12.
Miami-based asbestos firm files tortious interference lawsuit
Last month, The Ferraro Law Firm PA sued a former client and his South Carolina attorney for allegedly interfering with a business relationship in an effort to keep the firm’s fees to themselves. The named defendants are attorney Timothy D. Scrantom, Scrantom Dulles International PLLC, Ten State International Law PLLC and Kenneth Platt Elder.
Alabama Supreme Court reverses order compelling arbitration in boat sale case
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – The Alabama Supreme Court on March 3 overturned a trial court’s order compelling arbitration in a case involving the financing of a boat.
Auto parts manufacturer Kiekert to pay $6.1 million after conspiracy allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced March 7 that Kiekert AG, an automotive parts manufacturer with headquarters in Heiligenhaus, Germany, will pay $6.1 million for allegedly conspiring to rig bids of side-door latches and latch mini-modules installed in cars sold in the United States.
Kansas executes settlement with city of Independence after alleged KORA violations
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced March 8 that he has executed a settlement with the city of Independence after allegations of violating the state’s Open Records Act (KORA).
Flightsafety International Inc. loses appeal, ex-employee awarded $83,000 in back pay
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A flight instructor who filed a disability discrimination and retaliatory discharge claim against his employer, Flightsafety International Inc., was awarded back pay of $83,000 by a New Jersey trial court.
New Catonsville courthouse breaks ground with focus on modernity and sustainability
The Department of General Services held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Catonsville District Courthouse in Baltimore County.
Georgia Supreme Court rules timing is key in settling cases according to 2013 statute
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — A recently-enacted Georgia law regarding the timing of deadlines in settlement offers has resulted in the Georgia Supreme Court siding with a couple whose daughter died in a car wreck, and against an insurance company.
Georgia Supreme Court rules in favor of arbitration in wrongful-death case
ATLANTA — The Georgia Supreme Court recently ruled that a man suing a nursing home over the alleged wrongful death of his wife must first take his case to arbitration.
N.J. SC vacates arbitrator's decision in case of teacher accused of sending/receiving nude photos
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – The New Jersey Supreme Court recently reversed an appellate court's judgment, finding an arbitrator unfairly changed an "unbecoming conduct" claim against a teacher to a claim of sexual harassment.
Expert: Moose Munch packaging lawsuit not Harry & David's first
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A class action lawsuit filed against Harry and David LLC is part of a growing trend of litigation related to the amount of actual product contained in consumer packaging, according to the executive director of truthinadvertising.org.
California Supreme Court rules on summary judgment and expert opinion admissibility
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – On Feb. 23 the Supreme Court of California issued an opinion in the case of Wilson Dante Perry v. Bakewell Hawthorne LLC. The conclusions reached specify what information may be used when one side is asking for the court for summary judgment.
U.S. House votes to put teeth back in Rule 11 sanctions
The House, after an hour of general debate plus discussion on various amendments Friday morning, voted 230-188 in favor of the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017, or LARA.
FTC finds 31 funeral homes in violation of Funeral Rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 15 that its investigators working undercover in nine states found failures to disclose pricing information to consumers in 31 of 133 funeral homes visited between 2015 and 2016. The FTC’s Funeral Rule mandates that prices must be clearly disclosed in funeral homes.
House passes legal reform bills targeting class actions, asbestos trusts, fraudulent joinder
On Thursday, the House voted 220-201 for the Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2017, or H.R. 985. In a vote soon after, it also passed the Innocent Party Protection Act of 2017, or H.R. 725, 224-194.
While she waits on replacement blade, woman files class action over Cuisinart food processor
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — A New Jersey woman has filed a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of the Cuisinart food processor, alleging breach of warranty.
Sexy Hair Concepts, Ulta sued over shampoo
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — A Massachusetts consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against a hair products business, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
Consumers accuse facial products business of false advertising
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — Two California consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against beauty product manufacturers, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
Illinois woman accuses California company of advertising violations
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — An Illinois woman has filed a class action lawsuit against a California company, alleging violation of civil rights.