News from June 2023
No immunity for police who left dead man's genitals exposed during shootout
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Ending a split among state appellate courts, the California Supreme Court ruled a law protecting police officers against claims of wrongful prosecution doesn’t immunize them against other claims, including one that officers had left the body of a man shot by police in the street with his genitals exposed.
Fox Rothschild announces Fox Rothschild Welcomes Seasoned Litigator Kevin Peters in Boston
Fox Rothschild LLP is pleased to welcome Kevin T. Peters to its Boston office as a partner in the Litigation Department.
Former NBA ref fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccine sues to receive pension benefits
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — A former NBA official who was terminated for not taking the required COVID-19 vaccine is suing to receive his retirement benefits.
Latino man alleges discrimination while working for Boston Public Works Department
BOSTON — A Latino plaintiff alleges he faced discrimination and retaliation while working for the City of Boston's Public Works Department.
Plaintiff told to 'read the back' tells judge to read this appeal
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A woman who alleged she thought La Banderita tortillas were made in Mexico because of the flag on their package is not giving up on her lawsuit, even though a federal judge recently ruled the issue was as simple as reading the back.
Hospital sends woman photos of her stillborn child, will now face lawsuit
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - A woman who sued over photographs of her stillborn child – including a pose with angel’s wings – that hospital employees gave her as part of a “bereavement program” has a valid claim for invasion of privacy, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled.
Abbott to lawyers: Confidential sources can't prove we knew of safety concerns that led to formula recall
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - The maker of contaminated infant formula is fighting a lawsuit over a drop in its stock price, saying class action lawyers' reliance on "confidential sources" isn't enough to sustain their case.
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. announces College of Labor & Employment Lawyers Elects Two Ogletree Deakins Attorneys as Fellows
Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce that shareholders Steven Pockrass and Phillip Russell have been elected as Fellows of the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers Class of 2023.
3M to pay $12.5 billion to settle some PFAS cases, with plenty more to go
Water utilities across the nation agreed to settle claims over PFAS contamination against 3M for $12.5 billion, ending one phase of litigation that is likely to cost the manufacturer billions of dollars more.
LG may have to face vape-battery lawsuit in North Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - The North Carolina Supreme Court reversed an appellate ruling dismissing a lawsuit against LG over batteries improperly installed in vape devices, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision that broadened the jurisdiction of state courts over out-of-state defendants.
No new trial in $4M case of accident at car dealership after post-shift beers
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - There was no reason to order a new trial in a lawsuit over a beer-fueled accident involving car dealership employees that resulted in a $4 million verdict neither side was happy with, the Texas Supreme Court ruled.
Varsity to face claims it let down cheerleaders who were sexually abused at South Carolina gym
GREENVILLE, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - Litigation alleging sexual abuse of teenage cheerleaders in South Carolina will continue against Varsity Spirit, a worldwide operator of training camps and sanctioning bodies.
Law giving child sex abuse victims time to sue struck down by Colorado Supreme Court
DENVER (Legal Newsline) - The Colorado Supreme Court has declared a 2021 law that allowed certain victims of child sexual abuse a chance to file lawsuits unconstitutional.
Texas Supreme Court to jurors: Don't pick 'numbers out of a hat' when awarding emotional damages
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Jurors can’t just pick “numbers out of a hat” to award emotional damages in wrongful-death cases and lawyers can’t use irrelevant comparisons to guide them, the Texas Supreme Court ruled, setting down for the first time guidelines on noneconomic damages for relatives of fatal accidents.
Hard Rock casino says class action against it is small change
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - Class action lawyers suing over change in casinos can't stack coins not paid to gamblers high enough to meet the standard for suing in federal court.
Former director at Fla. Commission on Human Relations says she was asked to perform illegal acts
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The former executive director for the Florida Commission Human Relations (FCHR) claims she was fired for refusing to perform illegal acts.
Reed Smith announces Reed Smith expands its transactional capital markets practice capabilities with arrival of Anthony J. Marsico
Global law firm Reed Smith announced that seasoned capital markets attorney Anthony J. Marsico has joined the firm as a partner in its Global Corporate Group. Marsico, who will be based out of Reed Smith’s New York office.
Iowa Supreme Court tosses $400K sexual harassment verdict, says Workers' Comp preempts it
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa workers’ compensation law preempts lawsuits over sexual harassment at work, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled, throwing out a $400,000 jury verdict a telemarketing employee won over unwanted advances by her supervisors.
Phoney Lawsuits: Measure of relief for TCPA plaintiff accused of scheme
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Even though a federal appeals court has concluded a man likely schemed Credit One Bank in order to sue it under a federal telemarketing law, he won't have to pay the company's attorneys fees incurred fighting him.
New York Times wants to reveal secrets from LIV's lawsuit against PGA Tour
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The New York Times wants access to information that was sealed in LIV Golf's antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour - litigation recently settled when it was announced the competing leagues would merge.