News from March 2017
Delaware Supreme Court extends suspension of attorney for allegedly concealing ethical violations
DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) – The Delaware Supreme Court has sided with the Board on Professional Responsibility to extend the suspension of attorney S. Harold Lankenau.
PLF: New Seattle ordinance obliterates landlords' rights
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) – The Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) has taken a stand against a new ordinance in Seattle that is intended to prevent discrimination in rental property; but is now being accused of doing just the opposite.
North Dakota Supreme Court denies construction company new trial over faulty structure
BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) – The North Dakota Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court’s decision denying a local construction company a new trial after it was ordered to pay out nearly $900,000 for one of its structures found to be faulty.
The NFL allegedly failed to pay cheerleaders a fair wage
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — An anonymous Jane Doe recently filed a class action lawsuit against the National Football League and 27 of its teams for allegedly not paying their cheerleaders a fair wage in violation of Workers' Compensation acts.
Consumers allege Canada Dry ginger ale not made with real ginger
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — Consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against a soft drink maker, citing alleged fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
Class action targets Just Born's candy products
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) — Consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against Just Born Inc., citing alleged false advertising and violations of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act.
Users accuse Yahoo! Inc. of lax security measures
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Users have filed a class action lawsuit against Yahoo! Inc., citing alleged breach of implied warranty, breach of warranty, negligence and unfair competition.
Wishbone dressings use soybean oil despite olive oil claims, lawsuit alleges
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (Legal Newsline) — A man has filed a class action lawsuit against Pinnacle Foods Group LLC, citing alleged negligent misrepresentation.
Couple say Wells Fargo falsely advertised free account
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — Consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against Wells Fargo & Co., citing alleged unfair competition.
Proposals aimed at splitting Ninth Circuit again introduced
Various legislation has been introduced this Congress aimed at restructuring the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the largest of the nation’s 13 courts of appeals. The circuit’s judges contend a split would be harmful, while Democrats argue partisan politics is at the center of the push.
Mo. SC rules underinsured motorist coverage was not ambiguous in fatal accident case
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) – The Supreme Court of Missouri on March 14 reversed a lower court’s opinion, finding in favor of an insurance company following the death of a woman in a motor vehicle accident.
Wash. Supreme Court allows for punitive damages in unseaworthiness case
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – The Washington Supreme Court has reversed a trial court’s decision in the case of an American Seafoods worker who was injured on a company trawler and is now seeking punitive damages.
Asbestos 'double-dipping' reform bill nixed by Idaho statehouse committee
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) – An attempt by the Idaho House of Representatives to vet the claims of asbestos victims against the availability of trust funds set up two decades ago has been shot down.
House Democrats argue DOL’s proposed delay of fiduciary rule could hurt savers
The U.S. Department of Labor said earlier this month it would move forward -- under the direction of President Donald Trump -- with its efforts to delay the April 10 applicability date of the new “conflicts of interest” rule. The department said under its proposal the applicability date of the rule and related exemptions would be extended to June 9.
Montana high court agrees Consumer Direct not responsible in wrongful death case
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) – The Supreme Court of the state of Montana recently upheld a district court’s ruling in a wrongful death case brought against Consumer Direct, a provider agency of a personal assistance program.
Miss. Supreme Court rules in favor of insurance companies in couple's appeal
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – A couple have lost their appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court against two insurance companies in an attempt to assert rights to additional payments in a loss-of-consortium suit.
Third Circuit overturns decision on standing in Horizon data breach case
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) – A data breach case against Horizon Healthcare Services Inc. might be far from over after the plaintiffs scored a major victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Lawsuit: Old Spice deodorant caused side effects
NEW YORK — Five consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against Procter & Gamble, alleging breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, product liability and violations of the Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act
New York attorney general comments on case related to West Carthage's village justice
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Feb. 24 that Delmar House, the former village justice for the village of West Carthage Court in Jefferson County, entered a guilty plea in court after allegations of abusing his position as a judge by trading lenient treatment in exchange for sexual
favors.
Environmental groups allege EPA violated law
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Environmental groups are suing the EPA, alleging breach of duty and violation of federal law.