Pennsylvania Pays State Workers Millions

Since 2010, Pennsylvania has paid $3.2 million in sexual harassment claims against state workers. The total involves approximately two dozen cases, although a financial settlement was not made in every situation. Additional cases are still pending. State Departments with the Most Complaints While the $3.2 million figure represents sexual harassment claims paid out for all [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/30/pennsylvania-pays-state-workers-millions/

Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Law Presents Challenges to Physicians

In 2016, Pennsylvania passed Act 16, which legalized the use of medical marijuana in the state. Under Act 16, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has the authority to issue licenses to those that grow medical marijuana and operators of medical marijuana dispensaries. Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program To participate in Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program, patients [ ] The post Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Law Presents Challenges to Physicians appeared first on Discrimlaw Healthcare.
http://www.healthcarelawfirm.net/2018/03/29/pennsylvanias-medical-marijuana-law-presents-challenges-physicians/

DOJ Ruling on Dismissal of Qui Tam Cases

In January 2018, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) made a change to how it elects to dismiss qui tam lawsuits in which the federal government does not intervene. A qui tam lawsuit, often known as a whistleblower suit, is a claim where a private party claims that another individual or a company violated [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/28/doj-ruling-dismissal-qui-tam-cases/

Legislators Approve Amendment Against Wage Discrimination Policies

On Monday, an amendment to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), A-1/S-104, was approved by New Jersey legislators. The amendment, which reflects the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, passed in both houses of Legislature and will combat wage discrimination policies. Former Governor Chris Christie vetoed the passing of the Lilly Ledbetter Act [ ] The post Legislators Approve Amendment Against Wage Discrimination Policies appeared first on Discrimlaw NJ.
http://www.njdiscrimlaw.net/2018/03/27/amendment-wage-discrimination-policies/

Online Sexual Harassment Outside the Workplace

When most people think of workplace sexual harassment, they think of unwelcome touching and flirting in the office. Although this certainly does happen, it is far from the only way sexual harassment can occur. Workplace sexual harassment can occur online and when it does, it can be as destructive as face-to-face harassment. Ways Sexual Harassment [ ] The post Online Sexual Harassment Outside the Workplace appeared first on Discrimlaw NJ.
http://www.njdiscrimlaw.net/2018/03/27/online-sexual-harassment-outside-workplace/

Retaliation After Reporting Sexual Harassment

It takes great courage to report sexual harassment on the job. Whether you have been victimized by sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, inappropriate comments or jokes, or any other form of harassment, it can be embarrassing and emotionally debilitating. It is never your fault, and it should always be reported. Although it is clearly [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/26/retaliation-reporting-sexual-harassment/

Pregnancy Discrimination Leads to Wrongful Termination

Pregnant women often experience nausea commonly known as morning sickness. A 30-year old Walmart worker from Atlanta, Georgia was terminated after suffering the condition at work. Her supervisor told her she needed a doctor’s note in order to take breaks. She complied, and her doctor wrote that the employee should not lift heavy objects. Instead [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/23/pregnancy-discrimination-leads-wrongful-termination/

Gold Represents Plaintiff Who Was Injured, Wrongfully Terminated

Sidney L. Gold of Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. is representing the plaintiff in a wrongful termination suit against former employer, Jowitt and Rodgers Company, which was filed at the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on March 16, 2018. Allegedly, the plaintiff sustained a workplace shoulder injury on October 19, 2016, and subsequently [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/news_releases/gold-represents-plaintiff-injured-wrongfully-terminated/

Sexual Harassment Victims Silenced by PA State Agencies

Although sexual harassment claims have received recognition recently in the media and entertainment sectors, sexual misconduct occurs in all employment fields, especially when a power balance exists. Perhaps the most scandalous, however, is the fact that sexual harassment occurs on a state level, where government agencies do the best that they can to keep affairs [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/22/sexual-harassment-victims-silenced-pa-state-agencies/

Your Right as a Working Mother

Making the choice to be a parent and have a career is a woman’s right and privilege, but sometimes, it is not a choice at all. Today, two incomes are often needed just to survive, and mothers have no choice but to continue in the workforce. Sometimes, the mother is the sole provider, but it [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/20/rights-working-mother/

Bill to Change How Sexual Harassment is Reported in Congress

In January 2018, federal legislators introduced a new bill to overhaul the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, bringing it into the modern era. The bill was introduced by Democrat and Republican lawmakers hoping to make the sexual harassment reporting process for individuals working on Capitol Hill more transparent. Discussions of such a bill began in [ ] The post Bill to Change How Sexual Harassment is Reported in Congress appeared first on Discrimlaw NJ.
http://www.njdiscrimlaw.net/2018/03/19/change-sexual-harassment-reported-congress/

Charitable Donations Do Not Result in Liability Under False Claims Act

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently held that charitable donations found in violation of anti-kickback statutes do not necessarily provide the grounds for liability under the False Claims Act (FCA). According to the ruling, without additional evidence that the alleged kickback was tied to a specific claim for payment, violators of [ ] The post Charitable Donations Do Not Result in Liability Under False Claims Act appeared first on Discrimlaw Healthcare.
http://www.healthcarelawfirm.net/2018/03/16/charitable-donations-not-result-liability-false-claims-act/

Star of “The Crown,” Claire Foy, Paid Less Than Her Onscreen Husband

The star of “The Crown” television show, Claire Foy, received less pay for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II than her onscreen husband. Actress Claire Foy who played the role of the queen in her younger years reportedly earned a lower salary than her co-star Matt Smith, who portrayed her husband, Prince Philip, during the [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/15/claire-foy-paid-less-onscreen-husband/

$550,00 Settlement for Qui Tam Lawsuit

Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. secured a $550,000 settlement in a False Claims Act lawsuit against the intra-operative medical monitoring company, Marshfield Medical, Inc., formerly known as Bromedicon, Inc. Our whistleblower lawyers filed the Qui Tam case under seal in the US District Court for the Eastern District of PA. The US Dept of [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/news_releases/qui-tam-settlement/

Transgender Victims of Sexual Harassment and Assault

According to a recent report, a shocking number of homosexual and transgender workers have reported a form of mistreatment or harassment on the job. Statistics indicate that half of transgender individuals are abused or assaulted at some point in their lives, and up to 66 percent of survivors may experience sexual assault. The rate may [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/14/transgender-victims/

False Claims Act Suit Against Medical Monitoring Company Settled

The intra-operative medical monitoring company, Marshfield Medical, Inc., formerly known as Bromedicon, Inc. will pay $550,000 to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit filed against them at the US Attorney s Office in Philadelphia by Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Allegedly, Bromedicon, which provided remote Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM) during surgeries, submitted false claims for [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/news_releases/false-claims-act-medical-monitoring/

Sexual Harassment in the Medical Profession

Recent reports have shown us that the specter of sexual harassment remains alive and well in many areas of our lives. Some may have believed that the days of overt sexual harassment were behind us. Victims who had been living with that burden are now coming forward. They describe having experienced overt sexual harassment, sometimes [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/13/sexual-harassment-medical-profession/

Actor Starts Sexual Harassment Video Campaign

Actor David Schwimmer has launched a video series called That’s Harassment where he serves as executive producer. The actor has long been involved in advocacy for rape victims and has served on the board of The Rape Foundation for more than 15 years. It was the knowledge of the sexual harassment that his mother and [ ] The post Actor Starts Sexual Harassment Video Campaign appeared first on Discrimlaw NJ.
http://www.njdiscrimlaw.net/2018/03/12/actor-starts-sexual-harassment-video-campaign/

Non-Compete Agreements

The state of Pennsylvania has recently proposed a bill that is aimed at banning all non-compete agreements in ordinary employment relationships. Pennsylvania House Bill 1938 would prohibit all such agreements, other than those that arise out of the sale of a business, or the dissolution or disassociation from a partnership or a limited liability company. [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/08/non-compete-agreements/

Understanding Qui Tam Actions

If your employer is committing fraud against the federal government, you have the option of filing a civil qui tam action and will be protected against employer retaliation by the False Claims Act. Defendants found liable may have to pay up to three times the government’s losses for every false claim, as well as penalties [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/07/understanding-qui-tam-actions/

Restaurant Industry Workers More Vulnerable to Sexual Harassment

Several complaints have surfaced alleging sexual harassment in the restaurant industry from celebrity chefs to fine-dining restaurant chains.  Many say that it is only a matter of time before victims at lower-end casual dining establishments start to come forward with similar accusations. Between 2005 and 2015, almost 15 percent of sexual harassment claims filed in [ ] The post Restaurant Industry Workers More Vulnerable to Sexual Harassment appeared first on Discrimlaw NJ.
http://www.njdiscrimlaw.net/2018/03/06/restaurant-workers-vulnerable-sexual-harassment/

Philadelphia Chef Suspended After Sexual Harassment Allegations

A popular Philadelphia chef received a suspension at the restaurant where he is a co-partner after numerous sexual harassment allegations arose against him. Chris Painter, the chef at Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, as well as the General Manager and two other employees received suspensions for accusations of inappropriate sexual discussions and general misconduct as reported by [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/05/philadelphia-chef-sexual-harassment/

Congress Hides Data on Payouts to Sexual Harassment Accusers

The Congressional Office of Compliance released information on the amount of taxpayer funds used to settle cases of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill.  Between 2008 and 2012, Congress paid $115,000 to Congressional staffers who filed claims of sexual harassment while employed by a member of the House of Representatives. These funds were paid from the [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/05/congress-hides-payouts/

Sexual Harassment and the Judiciary

As everyone knows from the recent scandal in Hollywood and subsequent stories from a wide range of industries, sexual harassment is a huge problem throughout this country. It is despicable enough when those in power use their authority to take advantage of others, but it may reach a whole other level of repugnance when the [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/03/sexual-harassment-judiciary/

Whistleblowers’ Computers May be Monitored

Whistleblowers play an important role in upholding laws and industry regulations. They are also often in precarious positions where they can face demotion, termination, and other adverse actions from their employers for their choice to report the violations they observe. Any would-be whistleblower must be careful when using company-owned property to gather information to support [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/02/whistleblowers-computers-monitored/

Delaware County Representative Nick Miccarelli Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Nick Miccarelli, the Delaware County, Pennsylvania State Representative, was accused of sexual assaults and misconduct by two colleagues who are also former girlfriends. Early last month, a current state official and a political consultant filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which alleges that Nick Miccarelli threatened the one woman with lethal bodily [ ]
http://www.discrimlaw.net/2018/03/01/nick-miccarelli-sexual-misconduct/

Kmart Pays $32 Million for Overbilling Federal Health Programs

National retail giant, Kmart Corporation, recently agreed to pay the United States $32.3 million to settle allegations that in-store pharmacies overcharged federally-funded health care programs for generic drugs. The settlement stems from a 2008 False Claims Act lawsuit filed by an Ohio pharmacist, who stands to receive more than $9 million for his portion of [ ] The post Kmart Pays $32 Million for Overbilling Federal Health Programs appeared first on Discrimlaw Healthcare.
http://www.healthcarelawfirm.net/2018/03/01/kmart-overbilling-federal-health-programs/