Brianna Smith, Author at Legal Reader

Brianna Smith is a freelance writer and editor in Southwest Michigan. A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Brianna has a passion for politics, social issues, education, science, and more. When she’s not writing, she enjoys the simple life with her husband, daughter, and son.

Image of the Washington State Capitol in Olympia

Settlement Agreement Could Help Keep Mentally Ill Out of Washington Jails

August 17, 2018

A lawsuit between Disability Rights Washington and the Department of Social and Health Services in Washington settled yesterday. The suit revolved around a lawsuit filed by Disability Rights Washington back in 2014 on behalf of “mentally ill people who’ve been warehoused in jails for weeks or months while awaiting competency services.” When the lawsuit was first filed, it was seeking “relief for criminal defendants who were languishing for months in county jails while waiting to be evaluated to see if they were competent to help in their defense.” Those who were eventually found incompetent often had to wait additional “weeks or months before being taken to a state-run mental hospital for treatment.” As a result, the suit argued that the state “was violating their constitutional rights.”

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City of Omaha, Douglas County Hit with Negligence Suit

August 16, 2018

For many people, calling 911 means help will arrive promptly to help with virtually any type of emergency, including asthma attacks. Unfortunately for one woman in Omaha, Nebraska, help didn’t arrive soon enough when she began suffering from an asthma attack. That delay in help resulted in her death, and now her family is suing. The suit itself was filed against the City of Omaha and Douglas County by the family of Cristine Herek and argues that “Douglas County 911 personnel were negligent in failing to locate Herek in time to save her life.” Attorney Ben White filed the suit on behalf of one of Herek’s sons, Angelo Emmanuel, and her estate. The city and county are both named as defendants because much of “Douglas County 911’s funding comes from the city.”

Safety Alert: USPSC Recalls More Than 200,000 Hair Dryers Over Fire Hazard Concerns

August 16, 2018

Are you one of the many people who use a hair dryer as part of your morning routine when getting ready for work? If so, this latest recall notice is for you. Earlier this week, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USPSC) issued a recall of more than 200,000 Xtava Allure hair dryers over concerns that the can potentially “catch fire or deliver electrical shocks.”

Former Student Files Lawsuit Against Brentwood High School Alleging Teacher Sexually Abused Him

August 16, 2018

Most teachers devote their careers to molding the minds of the country’s youth and would go to great lengths to protect them. Unfortunately, every once in a while, a bad apple shows up in the bunch. This is what happened at Brentwood High School, according to a lawsuit that was recently filed against what’s been dubbed the ‘elite establishment’ at Brentwood High School. The suit was filed by a former student earlier this month and alleges the elite establishment stood by and did nothing while a former teacher, Aimee Palmitessa, subjected the student to “repeated inappropriate sexual acts at several different locations.” In an effort to protect the student’s identity, he is referred to through the lawsuit as John Doe.

Image of Michelin headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France

After Fatal Bus Crash, Wrongful Death Lawsuit Goes After Michelin Tire Makers

August 15, 2018

Last year a bus carrying passengers on a tour through Mexico crashed, killing and injuring several people. Now, many of the “injured passengers and the family members of those killed” have decided to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Francisco Tours, Motor Coach Industries, and Michelin North America alleging “a defective Michelin tire that was almost brand new was to blame for the crash.” The suit was filed late last week in Harris County, Texas. But what happened?

Del Monte, Kwik Trip Push Back Against Lawsuit Filed by Eau Claire Woman

August 15, 2018

Do you remember when Del Monte vegetable trays were recalled? Well, now a woman in Eau Claire filed a lawsuit alleging she became ill after consuming vegetables produced and distributed by Del Monte and Kwik Trip. In response, lawyers representing both companies are pushing back against the woman’s lawsuit and calling for its dismissal. According to court documents filed in Eau Claire County Court earlier this month, “Kwik Trip convenience stores and Del Monte Fresh Produce said they are not responsible for the woman, Averie K. Goodman, becoming sick on May 30.”

Surgeon Claims He Lost Job Due to Age Discrimination

August 14, 2018

Earlier this month, Peter Carter, a highly trained surgeon at Portsmouth Regional Hospital filed a lawsuit against entities affiliated with the hospital alleging he was “forced out of his job due to age discrimination, then was defamed by a letter to providers saying he retired.” According to the suit, he built an impressive 34-year surgical career at different medical centers in Maine, York, and Portsmouth.

Former Palm Beach International Airport Maintenance Supervisor Wins Whistleblower Suit

August 14, 2018

Earlier this month, a jury in Palm Beach County ruled in favor of a former Palm Beach International Maintenance supervisor and awarded him $2,200 in a “whistleblower lawsuit he filed back in 2015 against the county.” The suit was filed by Richard Rosales, now 52, in response to allegations against him that he “was receiving kickbacks from Glue Products of Florida.” However, the Palm Beach County Inspector General determined there was no wrongdoing, according to court documents. Soon after, Rosales filed a public records request to see “who made the claims and was told it would cost him $12,540 to access the documents.” In the end, he learned that “two or more of his subordinates” made the claims against him in 2012.

Lawsuit Claims Contaminated Goldfish Crackers Made Mississippi Woman Sick

August 14, 2018

Recalls linked to salmonella concerns have been in the news a lot lately. From eggs and Ritz crackers to Goldfish crackers, the list of recalled products has gotten pretty long. Now, a woman in Mississippi is suing Pepperidge Farm and it’s ingredient manufacturer, Associated Milk Producers, Inc. after she allegedly fell ill and was hospitalized with salmonella poisoning after eating Goldfish crackers.

Image of the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon

Nike Slapped with Gender Discrimination Suit

August 10, 2018

Nike was just hit by a gender discrimination lawsuit alleging the company violated “state and federal equal-pay laws and fostered a work environment that allowed sexual harassment.” The suit was filed in Portland, Oregon in federal court on behalf of four former Nike employees, all of them women, who claim they were paid less than their male counterparts and argue that their managers allowed the harassment against them.

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