News from March 2017
C&A Tool to pay penalty of $35,000 after allegations of disability discrimination
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced March 6 that C&A Tool Engineering Inc., a Churubusco, Indiana-based manufacturing-tooling company, will pay $35,000 after allegations of disability discrimination.
New York settles with third-party sellers that allegedly sold prohibited toy guns
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced March 8 that his office has obtained seven settlements with online third-party sellers that allegedly used Amazon to sell prohibited toy guns to New Yorkers.
Brady Sullivan to pay EPA penalty of $90,461 after alleged RPP violations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Feb. 28 that it had finalized a settlement agreement with Brady Sullivan Millworks II LLC and Brady Sullivan Millworks IV LLC (Brady Sullivan) after an alleged failure to follow lead-safe work practices and provide proper lead paint disclosure to tenants at a Manchester, New Hampshire, residential property.
Defendants in allegedly illegal prescription buy-back scheme receive sentencing
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced March 2 that two pharmacy owners and a supervising pharmacist have been sentenced for their alleged roles in defrauding several government-funded health care programs.
Iowa SC declares chiropractors' proposed class action over
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) – The Iowa Supreme Court has reversed a district court decision that would have allowed a collective of similarly situated chiropractors to sue a health insurance company over alleged antitrust violations in the state.
Pre-K teacher loses wrongful termination, slander case against Catholic school
MANCHESTER, N.H. (Legal Newsline) – The New Hampshire Supreme Court on Feb. 24 decided to uphold the decision of the Hillsborough Superior Court to dismiss allegations against the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester, or Saint Christopher School, in the case of Beverly A. Cluff-Landry v. the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester.
Justice reform groups continue push for venue, jurisdiction bills in Missouri Legislature
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A recent Missouri Supreme Court ruling regarding jurisdiction that looks like a win for the business community doesn’t negate the need for legislation reforming the way the state’s courts settle venue and joinder matters, civil justice reform advocates say.
Calif. SC says high school football player missed window to sue school district over alleged injury
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The California Supreme Court ruled March 6 to affirm a decision ruling that a high school football player who was allegedly injured during a game can’t file a claim because he waited too long.
Phoney Lawsuits: A federal law is giving litigious people a new income stream
More than 25 years after its passage, a federal telemarketing law hasn’t just created a cottage industry for lawyers – it has spawned a group of professional plaintiffs like Stoops who are armed with several cell phones for the purpose of receiving debt collection calls often intended for other individuals.
Phoney Lawsuits: How a Polish immigrant apparently sued his way to $800K
FDS Bank says the man no longer qualifies for Social Security disability benefits because he has made approximately $800,000 from filing 31 lawsuits. FDS says he made less than $30,000 in 2009 working construction before creating a scheme to manufacture claims under the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Phoney Lawsuits: Attorneys accused of racketeering, manufacturing claims
One company recently brought into the world of litigation under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act doesn’t like what it sees. BrandRep is taking its anger out on Beverly Hills, CA, attorney Todd Friedman, one of the most prolific lawsuit-filers in the country.
Oklahoma SC refuses to wade into lawsuit over Syrian-born man’s baptism
The state’s high court, in its Feb. 22 ruling, said per the church autonomy doctrine, it lacks subject matter jurisdiction.
Alabama SC: Lower court didn’t have jurisdiction to force Caremark to produce info on class members
The state’s high court, in an opinion released Feb. 24, granted Caremark Rx LLC’s petition for writ of mandamus and issued a writ directing the Franklin Circuit Court to vacate its Aug. 1, 2016 order.
Arkansas bill seeks to cap compensation levels for attorneys, clients
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – Changes have been proposed to the compensation levels for attorneys and clients in jury trials, the maximum amounts of awardable damage rewards as well as limits to the power of the State Supreme Court.
Cushman & Wakefield to pay $100,000 to settle alleged ADA violation
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced March 3 that Commercial Real Estate Services Company Cushman & Wakefield will pay $100,000 after allegations of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Hobby Lobby settles Virginia case involving allegations of misleading advertising
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) — Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced March 6 that Hobby Lobby, an arts and crafts store, will pay $8,000 after allegations of violating the state’s Comparison Price Advertising Act and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
EEOC alleges CRST trucking company discriminated against veteran because of disability
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit March 3 against CRST Expedited Inc., a national trucking company, for allegations of failing to accommodate a job candidate who used a service dog.
Virginia settles with door-to-door meat sales company, alleging violations of consumer protection laws
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) — Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced March 9 that Capital Meats Inc., a wholesale meat seller formerly based in Frederick County, has agreed to settle allegations of violating the Virginia Consumer Protection Act and the Virginia Home Solicitation Sales Act.
Virginia settles with Shockoe Bottom Automotive after alleged 'bait and switch' scheme
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) — Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced March 6 that Shockoe Bottom Automotive & Tires Inc., a company that sells tires and alignment services and is based in Richmond, will settle allegations of conducting a “bait and switch” business scheme.
New York continues case against Domino's, settles with 3 franchisees for $480,000
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced settlements March 9 with three Domino’s Pizza franchises for a total of $480,000 in restitution after allegations of committing wage and labor violations at 10 franchise locations.