News from 2017
Attorney says California's meal and break laws 'hard for small businesses'
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A California labor and employment attorney says the state's meal and break laws are a struggle for many types of businesses to meet.
Ohio high court rules Alliance Petroleum, Anadarko did not violate oil and gas lease terms
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – The Ohio Supreme Court has affirmed a Fourth District Court of Appeals ruling and remanded a legal battle over an oil and gas lease back to the trial court.
R.I. Supreme Court upholds ruling in allegedly faulty stairs case
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) – The Rhode Island Supreme Court recently upheld a summary judgment in a premises liability case in which a woman claimed she was injured when she fell through faulty stairs.
Eighth Circuit affirms dismissal of TCPA class action
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) –The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has upheld the dismissal of a class action lawsuit filed against Fairview Health Services alleging that the company made unauthorized telemarketing calls in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Trial court had no grounds to dismiss wrongful death lawsuit, Oregon Supreme Court rules
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) – The Oregon Supreme Court has reversed trial and appellate courts’ decision to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit against Rogue Valley Medical Center and Dr. Alison Savage.
Judge rules law firm was acting as debt collector in FDCPA case
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) – A federal judge on May 10 denied a law firm's claim to dismiss a complaint that it is acting as a debt collector.
Lipitor mass action not subject to CAFA
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney has granted plaintiffs' motion to remand their claims against a global pharmaceutical company to a state court after the defendant had removed it to federal court under the Class Action Fairness Act.
Baltimore celebrates drug treatment court graduates' new beginnings
The Baltimore City Circuit Court recently celebrated the graduation of seven participants from its Adult Drug Treatment Court program.
FTC OKs final order settling anti-competitive charges against dialysis chain DaVita
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced June 14 that, following a public comment period, it has approved a final order settling charges that outpatient kidney dialysis chain DaVita Inc.’s $358 million acquisition of competitor Renal Ventures Management LLC would be anti-competitive.
New York targets local contractors for allegedly defrauding consumers
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a lawsuit June 15 against Tri-State Paving and principals Richard Attenborough, III and Stevee Paige Castle-Lagerquist for allegations of defrauding homeowners.
Attorney general urges Kansas Supreme Court to approve new school finance plan
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced June 16 that he has urged the state’s Supreme Court to move quickly and approve the new school finance plan that Gov. Sam Brownback recently signed into law.
Consumer board seeks comment on proposed updates to prepaid rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced June 15 that it is seeking comment on proposed updates to its prepaid rule.
EEOC targets operator of a KFC in Georgia, alleging disability discrimination
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit June 12 against Hester Foods Inc., a company that operates a Kentucky Fried Chicken facility in Dublin, Georgia, for allegations of discriminating against an employee because of her disability.
D.C. attorney general supports fiscal year 2018 budget
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced June 14 that the district council has unanimously passed a fiscal year 2018 (FY18) budget for the district that that includes more funds for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
New York settles with health industry support company after massive data breach allegations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced June 15 that CoPilot Provider Support Services Inc. (CoPilot), a company providing support services to the health industry, will pay $130,000 and improve its legal compliance program after allegations of violating the state’s General Business Law.
EEOC: Growers subjected female employee to sexual harassment
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit June 13 against Stemilt Growers, the largest organic tree fruit grower in the United States, for allegations of subjecting a Latina tractor driver to sexual harassment and then retaliating against her after she reported the abuse.
Orlando staffing company settles EEOC allegations of religious discrimination
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced June 14 that HospitalityStaff, a staffing company in Orlando that focuses on Central Florida’s massive hospitality industry, will pay $30,000 after allegations of religious discrimination.
California objects to EPA administrator's decision to deny ban on pesticide chlorpyrifos
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced June 6 that he has joined with the attorneys general of New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Maine, Maryland and Vermont in submitting legal objections to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s decision to drop a proposed ban on chlorpyrifos.
Jury convicts psychologist in alleged social security scam
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced June 12 that a federal jury has convicted clinical psychologist Alfred Bradley Adkins for his role in an alleged social security disability fraud scheme.
Washington joins multistate coalition challenging Trump administration delay of new energy standards
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced June 13 that he is suing the Trump administration along with 10 other state attorneys general over allegations the administration is delaying new energy efficiency standards that will result in consumer savings and a reduction in pollution to the environment.