Tag Archives: settlement

Bed Bugs Bite in Landlord-Tenant Dispute

Once bitten, twice shy

Inattentive landlords and hotel owners: consider this a warning. Those tiny bugs that congregate around your sleeping quarters can become more than just a pain in your hind quarters. After the well-publicized infestations that occurred in the Big Apple and several other large cities across the United States, people and the civil court system have become far more cognizant of these pesky nuisances. In one of the more eye-opening verdicts, an Annapolis woman was awarded a windfall settlement of $800,000. The jury who heard the case was clearly intending to send a not-so-subtle message to negligent property owners.

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Man Sues Company Over “Kick Me” Sign

Can I Kick It?

A man in New Mexico is suing his company after some co-workers placed a “Kick Me” sign on his back. Harvey Palacio of Albuquerque, NM has filed a lawsuit against Intel Corp. seeking damages related to harassment in the workplace. According to the suit, Palacio had the prank pulled on him and was subject to repeated kicking in the backside during a day of work. Palacio, a Filipino man, believes that this was racially motivated and put forth in an attempt to get him to quit the company. Two of the employees involved have already been fired by Intel and also charged with petty misdemeanor battery. Read more

Priest Molestation Lawsuit Settles for $9.9m

In God we trust?

Selecting a new pope isn’t the only thing that the church is making headlines for.  A Los Angeles archdiocese has reached a settlement for $9.9 million over a child molestation lawsuit.  Michael Baker, a former priest, was found guilty for abusing young boys on overnight trips in and around San Diego in the 1970’s and 1980’s.  Read more

Like This: Facebook Sued Over Dead Man’s Patent

No sir, I do not bite by thumb at you, sir

Mark Zuckerberg is no stranger to a lawsuit.  This time, Rembrandt Social Media is claiming that Facebook’s use of a “Like” button infringes upon a patent created in 1998 by a currently deceased Dutch programmer.  The brain behind social media giant Facebook, has time and time again had to defend his creation from a multitude of people who would like their piece of the pie.  The new suit, filed in a Virginia court on behalf Joannes Jozef Everardus van Der Meer, revolves around a failed social media network known as Surfbook, which involved the idea of pressing a “like” button to show approval.  The like button is a central idea powering Facebook that allows users to interact with a simple click instead of actually commenting on a post or picture. Read More

Muslims Have Beef with McDonald’s Settlement

Stick to street meat

Ever want to know what’s really in a Big Mac?  In a recent settlement, McDonald’s was ordered to pay about $700,000 to parties effected by the fast food restaurant for selling non-halal chicken that was advertised as halal.  Halal, in the Islamic religion, is food that has been deemed edible.  Originally, the settlement was to be divided between a few organizations based around Dearborn Heights, MI.  However, other Muslims in the area are now calling into question the right of their own compensation.  The two McDonald’s in Michigan are reportedly the only fast food restaurants in the state where halal food is served. Read more