News from March 2017
Mother given wrong infant's remains loses case at Georgia Supreme Court
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – The plaintiff in a lawsuit involving the mix-up of a stillborn infant's remains has lost her suit in the Georgia Supreme Court. She had cited emotional distress.
Retired Alaska judge praises state's merit-based selection process, lack of politics
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – Retired Alaska Superior Court Judge Elaine Andrews likes that Alaska's judicial-selection system is currently based on merit, calling it the most transparent in the country.
Texas SC allows food stamp recipient to pursue defamation case over magazine feature
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) – The Texas Supreme Court ruled March 17 to allow a defamation lawsuit to continue, but it also said a lower appeals court shouldn't have used Wikipedia as an authority.
Alabama high court won't rehear FELA case against Norfolk Southern
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – The Alabama Supreme Court has denied Norfolk Southern Railway's request to rehear a case in which the railroad was deemed negligent for not discovering a defective switch during track inspections.
Etsy defeats class action claims from investors
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A class action lawsuit against Etsy has been dismissed by a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Mont. SC overturns $1.5M default judgment in Workers' Comp case
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) – On March 21, the Supreme Court of Montana released a memorandum opinion on a Workers' Compensation case filed against the state’s Workers' Compensation administrator Liberty Northwest Insurance.
Montana Supreme Court denies former inmate’s denial of Hydrocodone claim
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newswire) – The Montana Supreme Court upheld the 13th Judicial District Court’s decision to dismiss a case filed by a former inmate incarcerated at Yellowstone County Detention Facility on March 21.
Massachusetts AG joins coalition opposing vehicle emissions rollback
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has joined a coalition of states in opposing President Trump’s action directing federal agencies to reconsider vehicle emission
standards.
Kansas AG joins multi-state coalition against CFPB
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has joined the attorneys general of 14 other states in filing a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia arguing that the current setup of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) violates the Constitution.
N.Y. heating oil firm accused of defrauding customers
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has filed a lawsuit alleging fraudulent activities against Champion Fuel and Service Corp., its owners, David DeSilva Sr. and Patrick Terminello, and DeSilva’s son, David DeSilva Jr., who managed the company.
Stockholder sues medical technology firm over merger bid
A stockholder has filed a class action lawsuit against Zeltiq Aesthetics Inc. and its board of directors, citing alleged violation of federal securities law.
Consumers allege Illinois Lottery fraud
Consumers are suing Northstar Lottery Group LLC, an Illinois business that managed the Illinois Lottery, citing alleged fraud.
Law firm sues Bank of San Francisco over bogus check
A law firm is suing Bank of San Francisco and related parties, citing alleged negligent misrepresentation involving a counterfeit check.
Hydroponics retailer to settle pesticide charges with EPA
Grow Depot, a hydroponics and organics supply store in Northglenn, Colo., agreed to settle allegations of violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced March 13.
Disruptive tech sector advised to self-regulate while policy makers and regulators try to catch up
MENLO PARK, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes laid out terms of an accord with innovators of the U.S. tech industry on Wednesday, advising them that self-regulation will go a long way in keeping law enforcers away.
Business lawyers: Expect spillover from actions against asbestos trusts, plaintiffs lawyers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Business defense lawyers say that the fallout from recent government and private actions against asbestos bankruptcy trusts and plaintiffs lawyers specializing in asbestos exposure cases could extend well beyond the actions themselves.
Home Depot accused of shortchanging customers on wood sizes
An Illinois resident has filed a class action lawsuit against the Home Depot Inc. for allegedly selling lumber with false dimensions.
Medical testing firm sued over alleged overbilling of customers
Consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against a company that runs a network of medical testing labs, accusing the firm of fraud and overcharging for clinical tests.
Employees allege Starwood Hotels failed to pay wages, tips
Former hospitality workers have filed a class action lawsuit against Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide LLC, claiming that the Pennsylvania resort operator failed to pay them minimum wages and overtime wages.
Fishermen's groups sue Trump administration over Obama-era marine monument designation
Several commercial fishermen's groups are suing top federal officials, including President Trump, over last year's designation of a 5,000-square-mile offshore area in New England as a national marine monument that restricts fishing.