Kate FitzGerald

3 days ago | cohenmilstein.com | Kate FitzGerald

Flood victims can press forward with litigation against Michigan over the collapse of a hydroelectric dam, a claims court judge ruled Monday, finding that questions remain about the state’s role in the disaster. Michigan Court of Claims Judge James R. Redford delivered the ruling denying the state’s motion for summary disposition from the bench, saying the flooding victims had presented enough evidence to proceed to trial.

5 days ago | cohenmilstein.com | Kate FitzGerald

A California judge said Friday he intends to grant preliminary approval of a $43.25 million class action settlement in a suit alleging Disney paid thousands of women in middle management less than their male colleagues. During a morning hearing, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elihu M. Berle read aloud a draft of a ruling that would grant a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement after counsel in the case make minor adjustments and resubmit it.

5 days ago | cohenmilstein.com | Kate FitzGerald

A split Fourth Circuit panel Friday revived a putative class action accusing major shipbuilders and naval engineering consultants of an illegal “no-poach” conspiracy, with the majority holding that just because the alleged conspirators never formalized their purported agreements in writing, it doesn’t mean the conspiracy can’t be unlawful.

1 week ago | cohenmilstein.com | Kate FitzGerald

Despite a growing body of case law laying out a blueprint for determining whether incarcerated workers are employees — which would legally entitle them to minimum wage and other protections — there is no definitive way to classify workers behind bars. Disputes over classification are common in employment law, where the question is often whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor.

1 week ago | cohenmilstein.com | Kate FitzGerald

A Florida state appellate court on Wednesday reinstated a proposed class action alleging negligence against the city of Miramar and a consultant over improperly treated tap water that led to damaged pipes in homes, saying the complaint sufficiently claimed the city assumed a duty to make sure water wasn’t corrosive.