Posted inLawsuits

Jurisdiction Unknown

The first space crime

Initiated in November 1998, the International Space Station is a monumental project, and has served as living quarters to astronauts since the year 2000. Among the valuable scientific research that takes place on the Space Station, it is also home to the first space crime.  Anne McClain has recently gained infamy for allegedly tapping into her estranged spouse’s bank account while onboard the Space Station.  While no money was stolen from the account, McClain’s spouse, Summer Worden, learned of the invasion of privacy when McClain communicated with Worden about her spending habits.  An investigation is currently underway.

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Posted inLawsuits

A Major Problem in a Minor League

Home run for minor leaguers

In a bill passed by Congress in March 2018, there is a short section entitled “Save America’s Pastime Act,” which intends to prevent minor league players from taking legal action against Major League Baseball.  The Act ensures minor league baseball players are paid federal minimum wages for a 40-hour work week; however, they are not guaranteed overtime pay.  The MLB’s push for this Act came in response to a federal class action lawsuit filed in 2014 on behalf of 45 minor league baseball players who alleged they did not receive fair wages.   

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Posted inLawsuits

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.   

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Posted inLawsuits

Heaping Class Action Filed in Response to Burning Trash

On fire

The South Carolina neighborhood of Ridgeland is under fire, literally.  A landfill owned by Able Contracting has been burning for over a month, since June, to the point of probable contamination. Due to the landfill owner’s apparent negligence, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of a construction company located close by to the burning site.  The class action was filed with the intention of compensating residents and business owners in the surrounding area for a decline in property value, a decrease in potential revenue, and personal injury.  Many residents voluntarily left their homes, and some are starting to cope with the possibility that they may never return to their homes.

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Posted inSettlements

Explosive Settlement for Merrimack Valley, MA

Residents left to pick up the pieces

At the end of July 2019, a $143 million settlement was announced, connected to a September 2018 Massachusetts natural gas explosion that left one resident dead and 25 other residents injured.  Other individuals were also affected, as 100 buildings and homes in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover were damaged.  Due to the shared misfortune following the explosion, a class action lawsuit was filed against Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and NiSource Inc.  A judge is now left to evaluate the terms of the settlement for approval.  In the opinion of some, $143 million is only a small price to pay for the inconvenience and suffering of those who were forced to live without services of natural gas and must also rebuild their lives and homes.

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