News from February 2018
EEOC alleges health care company in Tennessee fired woman because of her anxiety disorder
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Feb. 1 against Meade Place LLP, which does business as The HealthCare Center at West Meade Place, for allegations of refusing to provide reasonable accommodation to an employee suffering from anxiety disorder, and later firing her.
Georgia-based KFC operator to pay $30,000 to settle discrimination allegations
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Feb. 1 that Hester Foods Inc., a company operating a Dublin, Georgia-based Kentucky Fried Chicken, will pay $30,000 to settle allegations of disability discrimination over the termination of a manager.
FTC warns 11 opioid cessation product marketers over product claims
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Jan. 24 that they warned 11 marketers and distributors of opioid cessation products to stop making allegedly unproven claims about their products.
EEOC alleges Houston energy company fired employee after taking leave to recover from heart attack
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Houston-based Vantage claiming the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by firing an employee after he had a heart attack on one of the energy, drilling and management company's drilling rigs.
Opioid judge doesn't want media to know details of settlement talks
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - The judge overseeing multidistrict litigation against opioid manufacturers and distributors has named the teams of lawyers who will try to negotiate a settlement of hundreds of federal lawsuits - a complex task given parallel investigations and litigation by state attorneys general and potentially conflicting goals of private attorneys and their government counterparts.
In Wisconsin legal reform debate, GOP lawmakers split from party while lobbyist firm with corporate clients stumps for trial lawyers
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) – As Wisconsin Republicans and their governor push a legal reform agenda that includes a bill that would reform the state’s electronic discovery and class action rules, a lobbying firm seeking to derail it on behalf of the state's trial lawyers may be at odds on this one with other clients it has represented.
Lead paint amicus: Slumlords rewarded, low-income tenants stiffed if public nuisance decision stands
SACRAMENTO - As the Supreme Court of California considers whether to review a ruling that holds major paint companies responsible for remediating lead paint across the state, it will weigh several amicus letters filed by community and business organizations that also request a different outcome in the case.
Anne Arundel court hosts students for educational program on legal consequences
Approximately 140 high school students from Anne Arundel County are set to participate in an educational program at the Anne Arundel County District Court.
Georgia will soon decide controversial 'lawsuit lending' topic
DUBLIN, Ga. (Legal Newsline) – Questions over the future of litigation funding remain in Georgia as the state Supreme Court prepares to decide the issue and another case continues to move through a federal court in the state.
FTC approves final order in Becton, Dickinson medical technology acquisition case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 26 that, following a public comment period, the agency approved a final order settling antitrust charges against Becton, Dickinson, a medical technology company.
FTC comments on FCC's proposed rule making regarding erroneously blocked robocalls
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Jan. 31 that it provided comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding potential mechanisms to address erroneously blocked robocalls without harming consumers or callers.
DOJ settles with non-profit company over suit alleging IRS inappropriately delayed tax-exempt status
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Feb. 1 that it will settle with Z Street, a non-profit company that educates the public about Israel and Middle East-related issues, after the organization alleged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) applied heightened scrutiny to its tax-exempt status because of any perceived connection to Israel.
Oakland would pay 23.5% to private lawyers it hired for global warming lawsuit
OAKLAND (Legal Newsline) – The City of Oakland – one of eight California governments going big-game hunting by suing the energy industry over climate change – will pay private lawyers almost one-quarter of any recovery and says it does not have to disclose any communication with the firm it hired.
Ky. bill would allow caps on damages; State Chamber glad to see 'true legal liability reform' getting a shot
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) – Kentucky's business community has welcomed a bill that may lead to a change in the constitution that would allow the General Assembly to cap damages in personal injury lawsuits.
DOJ settles raced-based discrimination allegations against Houston sports bar
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Feb. 1 that Ayman Jarrah and Land Guardian Inc., the owners and operators of a sports bar and lounge located in Houston called 360 Midtown, will settle allegations of discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin.
Repair All PC, others banned from tech support business
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 29 that Repair All PC and several related companies and individuals have been banned from the tech support business as part of settlements with the FTC and the State of Ohio.
Maryland courts introduce pilot program using therapy dogs for child witnesses
A new initiative in Maryland aims to provide comfort to children during court proceedings by allowing therapy dogs to accompany them.
Former LoveBug Nutrition Inc. director alleges termination was improper
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – The former director of a New York company alleges he was improperly terminated.
The Attorney Law Group Inc. alleged to be using another law firm's name for advertising
ORLANDO (Legal Newsline) – An Orlando law firm claims that a Fort Lauderdale firm and Miramar individual are unlawfully using its name for advertising.
Best Buy alleged to have misrepresented no interest, zero interest promotions
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – A Michigan consumer alleges a retailer "lures consumers" with deceptive promotion plans.