Tag Archives: Transportation

As Plane as Day

The holiday season typically welcomes the tradition of visiting with family and friends, which often requires travel by car, train, bus, or airplane. The latter option yields particularly high volumes of passengers around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Although airlines appear to execute efficient effort to avoid delays and accommodate customers, one airline has developed a reputation for a reason some may not expect. Two lawsuits entered against American Airlines involve the treatment of underaged children. While one was settled, the other was recently filed.

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Pickup a Dismissal

Trucking along

A federal judge has recently dismissed a class action lawsuit that exposed the existence of emissions defeat devices in Ford Super Duty pickup trucks. Originally filed in 2018, the “cheat” devices, which were apparently embedded in the engine control module software of 2011–2017 F-250 and F-350 pickups with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8, have allowed the trucks to pass emissions tests. About 500,000 trucks were impacted and the original lawsuit sought $4.2 billion. Since 2018, over 25 claimants have dropped claims, which likely contributed to the judge’s decision. Continue reading →

Lawsuit Bridges Gap in Construction Plans

Who will determine the fate of the bridge?

Rehabilitation versus reconstruction is the theme of an ongoing lawsuit in Maine. The Frank J. Wood Bridge will be changing in the foreseeable future, but the question remains whether the bridge will be rebuilt or just modified. Those who oppose the rebuilding of the bridge are the same groups that have filed a lawsuit against the Maine Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Friends of the Frank J. Wood Bridge, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Historic Bridge Foundation are pushing for rehabilitation. Continue reading →

Grab a Lyft to Compensation

On the road again

In the most recent class action lawsuit filed against Lyft, claimants are alleging misclassification of their employment status with the popular transportation company. Incorrectly identified as independent contractors, Lyft drivers must adhere to strict standards that would normally fall under the classification of an employee, not an independent contractor. The principal claimant, Donald Brunner Jr., who filed the class action in the Northern District of California is arguing that drivers are not compensated for their overtime, minimum wage, or expense reimbursement. The class action also points to Lyft’s lack of providing itemized wage statements and keeping correct payroll documentation. Continue reading →

Los Angeles Streets Have Reached Their Life Cycle

A long road to recovery

A recent update to the city’s budget allows Los Angeles to dedicate $15 million to pay out settlements involving bicycle accidents that result from unsafe roads. Earlier this month, about $6.5 million of the budget was awarded to Peter Godefroy and his wife Patty. In 2015, Peter was riding his bicycle on Valley Vista Boulevard in the neighborhood of Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles when he hit what he described as a “concealed trap” in the road. The pothole sent Peter flying from his bicycle, resulting in several broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. Some of his injuries are permanent. Read more