News from August 2018
District of Columbia alleges national electric contractor cheated workers of wages, benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against a national electric contractor and its labor staffing companies, alleging the companies cheated hundreds of workers out of wages and benefits as part of an effort to cut costs.
Massachusetts reaches $26.8 million settlement with HSBC over alleged unfair loans
BOSTON — The state of Massachusetts and HSBC Securities (HSBC) have reached a $26.8 million settlement regarding allegations the company secured unfair residential mortgage loans, according to the state attorney general.
Online for-profit university to pay $270,000 for allegedly misleading veterans
BOSTON — American Military University has agreed to a $270,000 settlement regarding allegations by the state of Massachusetts that the school violated state law by misleading veterans.
U.S. accuses University of Wisconsin of age discrimination
MADISON, Wis. — The federal government is suing the University of Wisconsin over allegations the school hired a 23-year old over a 53-year old former employee with 25 years of experience because of age discrimination.
Ninth Circuit Appeals Court tells EPA to ban pesticide within 60 days
NEW YORK — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has agreed with New York state in the banning of a pesticide that has been documented to harm neurological development in children.
Virginia attorney general lauds decision to halt Tribune Media, Sinclair merger
RICHMOND — Virgina Attorney General Mark Herring is applauding the recent Tribune Media Company announcement that it will discontinue pursuing a merger with Sinclair Broadcast Group.
Astra Zeneca to pay Texas $100 million for alleged Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act violations
AUSTIN — Astra Zeneca has agreed to pay the state of Texas $100 million to settle lawsuits which allege the pharmaceutical company violated the state's Medicaid Fraud and Prevention Act by falsely marketing some of its drugs.
New Jersey trucking company settles charges it fired employee for sleep apnea
TRENTON — A New Jersey trucking company, P. Judge & Sons, Inc., accused of firing an employee diagnosed with sleep apnea despite having medical clearance to continue his job duties, has been ordered to pay a $30,000 settlement.
EEOC: Black employee faced racial slurs, harassment at oil, gas company
MINNEAPOLIS — The federal government is suing a Texas oil and gas company, alleging it subjected an African-American employee to racial slurs without taking action to stop the discrimination.
EEOC: San Diego country club manager solicited naked photos, grabbed female employees
SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against San Diego's Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, alleging a manager sexually harassed of a group of female employees, which included soliciting naked photos, grabbing and kissing.
EEOC: Workers at Georgia Piggly Wiggly subjected to lewd sexual comments, advances
ATLANTA — The federal government has filed a lawsuit on behalf of two female Georgia Piggly Wiggly workers who allegedly endured lewd sexual comments and advances from a male coworker and were then fired for reporting the matter.
EEOC alleges United Airlines pilot posted sexually explicit images of female flight attendant
SAN ANTONIO — The federal government is suing United Airlines, alleging sexual harassment of a female flight attendant by a male pilot who posted sexually explicit images of the attendant on various websites.
EEOC accuses New Orleans cleaners of harassing Hispanic employee from Mexico
NEW ORLEANS — The federal government is suing Mariam Enterprises DBA Marion's Cleaners over allegations of discrimination and harassment against a Hispanic employee from Mexico.
EEOC alleges Colorado home health company subjected female employees to sexual harassment
DENVER — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against a Colorado senior home health care company who allegedly subjected female employees to sexual harassment by a client's son.
U.S. alleges New Mexico sports cantina manager texted body parts photo to female employee
ALBUQUERQUE — The federal government has filed a lawsuit against the owners of a New Mexico sports cantina, alleging sexual harassment, including one claim that a manager texted a photo of one of his body parts to a female employee.
Conn. SC takes on confusion in Workers' Comp issue
A law passed by the state legislature invoking a moratorium on filing for additional benefits by both employee and employer had caused some confusion.
South Dakota SC rules lower court erred in granting judgment to Big Stone Therapies in case over broken femur
PIERRE, S.D. (Legal Newsline) – The South Dakota Supreme Court has affirmed a summary judgment in favor of a hospital and reversed another in favor of a physical therapy company in a medical negligence case.
Idaho SC revives Rug Doctor slip-and-fall case against Walmart
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) – A judgment by the Fourth Judicial District Court of Idaho absolving Walmart of any liability related to an accident in one of its stores was vacated by the Idaho Supreme Court, according to a ruling filed July 30.
Arizona accuses travel company of scamming students out of senior class trip
PHOENIX – The state of Arizona has filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against a Texas travel company, alleging it charged high school students for a senior class trip and then left the students and chaperones stranded.
Objector fighting $21.5M settlement with Monsanto, says lawyers, paid more than $6M, didn't get enough for class
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) – A U.S. district judge on May 25 approved a settlement in a class action lawsuit against Monsanto over the herbicide Roundup, but one class member is challenging it by arguing the plaintiffs attorneys are selling out Californians in order to reap millions in attorneys fees.