Sam Knef News
Judge dismisses class action against Mercy Health over pension plan
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry recently dismissed a putative class action against Mercy Health brought by retirees who claim the pension fund has been underfunded in violation of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
Contract dispute between propane monitoring services dismissed
A federal judge dismissed a case involving a dispute between businesses that use a satellite-based program that provides monitoring of propane and other gas tank storage levels.
Compton Furniture responsible for cleaning hazardous site in Macon, federal judge rules
The owner of a hazardous waste site violated an agreement to clean up the property, a federal judge ruled.
Parents of dead employee cannot bring suit against tree trimming company, federal judge rules
A tree trimming company avoided a federal lawsuit brought by the parents of a worker who died of heat stroke.
Copyright battle between coloring book creator and distributor continues
A federal judge has denied a motion to dismiss a copyright infringement lawsuit involving coloring books.
Former Daugherty consultant files gender, wage discrimination suit
ST. LOUIS – A former employee of a business and technology consulting company claims it violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by paying female workers less than male workers.
BlueLine Rental alleges former Scott City branch manager violated agreement by working for competitor
CAPE GIRARDEAU – A company that provides heavy industrial and construction equipment rentals is suing a former branch manager alleging she breached contract by leaving to work for a competitor and encouraging other employees to do the same.
Allergan, Apollo Endosurgery say plaintiffs 'grafted' claims to thwart diversity in LAP-BAND case
ST. LOUIS – Defendants Allergan USA Inc. and Apollo Endosurgery US Inc. have filed to remove a medical malpractice and medical device products liability case to federal court.
Ross sues St. Louis Mills Mall for not honoring rent provisions in lease
ST. LOUIS – Ross Dress for Less Inc. is suing St. Louis Retail Outlet, doing business as St. Louis Mills Mall in Hazelwood, for not honoring lease provisions that allow the retailer to pay less in rent when the occupancy level of the mall falls below 60 percent.
Monsanto and BASF face new litigation over dicamba formulations
Monsanto and BASF Corporation face a new lawsuit over use of their herbicides Xtendimax and Engenia.
U.S. Labor Department cracks down on mistreatment of workers in Kennett
The U.S. Labor Department has targeted a freight company for allegedly subjecting agricultural workers to "inhumane" housing conditions in the southeastern part of Missouri.
Ten Missouri counties and Joplin file lawsuit against 49 opioid-related companies
Ten Missouri counties and the city of Joplin joined communities across the country in litigation over the nation's opoid epidemic.
Hawley seeking criminal, civil sanctions against Backpage regarding human trafficking case
ST. LOUIS – Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley recently filed motions in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri seeking criminal contempt sanctions against Backpage.com LLC, a company that in April pleaded guilty in a Texas state court to human trafficking and to conspiracy to commit money laundering in federal court in Arizona.
Nonparty to defamation suit against Planet Aid seeks to quash subpoena
KANSAS CITY – A nonparty to a defamation suit pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeks to quash or modify a subpoena she received as a researcher.
Mother files discrimination suit against St. Joseph School District over son's education
ST. JOSEPH – A parent of a student in the St. Joseph School District has filed suit against the district and administrators claiming they have impaired her son's ability to access a place of public accommodation - his public school.
Nebraska man alleges deputy working security at Belton auto auction wrongfully arrested him
KANSAS CITY – A Nebraska man who claims he was battered by a deputy sheriff from Cass County at an auto auction and then wrongfully detained and charged with assaulting an officer, resisting arrest and trespass has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
Amazon seeks to remove customers' fire damage claim to federal court
ST. LOUIS – Amazon.com has requested to remove a lawsuit brought by a Missouri couple who claim that a battery pack they purchased from a third party on its site caused a fire that burned their detached garage.
Eagle Express Lines, driver involved in fatal collision counter-sue over claims victim was sleep-deprived
ST. LOUIS – The owner of an over-the-road freight carrier is counter-suing people involving a fatal collision two years ago on westbound Interstate 70 in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
Suit over allegations of infection caused by Terumo medical device removed to federal court
ST. LOUIS – A company that manufactures heater-cooler devices used for open heart surgeries has removed a products liability suit to federal court at the Eastern District of Missouri.
Outstanding bills prompt suit by St. Louis-based spinal implant manufacturer
Ulrich Medical USA says a Texas -based hospital owes thousands of dollars for medical devices.