News from July 2018
Okla. Supreme Court upholds $10 million wrongful death ruling against BNSF Railway; Train collided with man's vehicle in 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) – The Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a trial court judgment in a suit over wrongful death allegations after a man was killed when a BNSF train collided with his vehicle.
Ohio attorney suspended a second time on misconduct allegations
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – The Ohio Supreme Court affirmed a recommendation that Ohio attorney Debra Kay Horton be suspended for two years for allegedly violating professional code while working a minor’s personal injury case.
Judge slashes attorneys fees request in Krispy Kreme class action
An order was issued in the Superior Court Division in the General Court of Justice to grant the attorneys for former Krispy Kreme shareholders $150,000 in fees and denying the request for fees and costs associated with the litigation, noting that the attorneys are barred from recovering expenses according to state bar regulations.
New Jersey court affirms Workers' Comp liens apply in police officer’s med-mal suit
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – The New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division issued a ruling on June 20 standing behind a Superior Court of New Jersey Law Division ruling that a police officer who alleged medical malpractice after being injured on the job must pay a lien regardless of his award.
GEORGIA OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: Carr: Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Participates in National Healthcare Fraud Takedown
The United States Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services just announced the largest ever healthcare fraud enforcement action by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, involving 601 charged defendants and more than $2 billion.
TENNESSEE SUPREME COURT: New rates for counsel representing indigent defendants and families
For the first time in over 20 years, the Tennessee Supreme Court has ordered an increase in the amount paid to lawyers representing indigent parties in criminal and child welfare cases.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: FTC sues two more in phantom debt scheme
Have you ever gotten a call about a debt that isn’t yours?
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION: SEC Charges Morgan Stanley in Connection With Failure to Detect or Prevent Misappropriation of Client Funds
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (MSSB) has agreed to pay a $3.6 million penalty and to accept certain undertakings for its failure to protect against its personnel misusing or misappropriating funds from client accounts.
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: Justice Department, EPA Reach Settlement with MFA Incorporated and MFA Enterprises Incorporated to Address Alleged Chemical Accident Prevention Violations
The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have entered into a consent decree with MFA Incorporated, headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, and its wholly owned subsidiary MFA Enterprises, Incorporated (collectively, “MFA”), to address alleged chemical accident prevention and preparedness violations under the Risk Management Program of the Clean Air Act.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: California Company Settles FTC Charges Related to Privacy Shield Participation
A California company has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that it falsely claimed it was in the process of being certified as complying with the EU-U.S.
UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION: LA Louisanne Restaurant Settles EEOC Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit For $82,500
LA Louisanne, Inc., a Los Angeles restaurant and jazz night club, will pay $82,500 and furnish other relief to settle a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: Michigan Ski Resort to Pay $60,500 in back wages and penalties for violations of foreign visa program and child labor laws
The U.S. Department of Labor has found Michigan ski resort Ski Brule Inc. in violation of the labor provisions of the H-2B temporary visa program and the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) after an investigation by the Department's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
TEXAS SUPREME COURT: Court OKS Final approval of Disciplinary Rules, including revisions for Investigatory Subpoenas
Among changes to amendments approved before comments in Miscellaneous Docket No. 18-9031
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: U.S. Department of Labor investigation results in San Diego Restaurant paying penalties for Child Labor Violations
A San Diego Chuck E. Cheese restaurant will pay $3,928 in penalties after investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found the restaurant employed minors in violation of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION: Wells Fargo Advisors Settles SEC Charges for Improper Sales of Complex Financial Products
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Wells Fargo Advisors LLC agreed to settle charges of misconduct in the sale of financial products known as market-linked investments, or MLIs, to retail investors.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: FTC, Nevada Obtain Order Permanently Shutting down Revenge Porn Site MyEx
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission and the state of Nevada, a federal court has ordered that a revenge porn site be permanently shut down, and that the operators pay more than $2 million after finding they violated federal and state law by posting intimate images of people and their personal information without their consent and charging takedown fees.
UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISION: Anchor Staffing to Pay $30,000 To Settle EEOC Sex Harassment and Retaliation Suit
Anchor Staffing, Inc., a Chicago-based staffing agency, will pay $30,000 to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced.
Minnesota Supreme Court rules trustee cannot sue over legal malpractice allegations in late man's estate
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) – An appellate court decision was struck down by the Minnesota Supreme Court on June 27 over its finding that a trustee lacked standing to sue an attorney for legal malpractice during a deceased client’s estate-planning.
Woman loses slip-and-fall case after slip in grocery store while wearing high heels
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California appeals court has affirmed a lower court's ruling in favor of a supermarket chain and against a customer who fell in one of its stores.
Calif. court grants judgment to AHMC Health Care in workers' timesheet case
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The Los Angeles Superior Court should have summarily decided on a wage dispute case between a health care company and its employees, a California appellate court ruled June 25.