EMPLOYEES EXPOSED TO HARMFUL CHEMICALS SAYS LAWSUIT

A group of former Motorola employees is claiming that their exposure to harmful chemicals while producing semiconductors has harmed their children. The 71 plaintiffs worked at a plants in Schaumburg and Arizona between 1965 and 2007. They claim that Motorola officials were aware of the dangers the chemicals posed to the employee’s potential offspring but did not warn the workers. The suit says the children suffer from various problems such as cerebral palsy, autism, blindness, spina bifida, language delays and epilepsy.

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24 HOUR FITNESS SUED FOR EMPLOYEE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

24 Hour Fitness USA Inc. has been accused of racial discrimination in a lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of workers earlier this week. The lawsuit claims that the gym discriminates against minority and female workers “regarding promotions to management jobs and equal pay.” The practice is in violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and the California Business and Profession Code, the suit states. The plaintiffs seek back pay and damages for unfair treatment.

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VERDICT AFTER LAWSUIT ALLEGES LUCAS FILM REFUSED TO HIRE APPLICANT BECAUSE SHE WAS PREGNANT

A jury has awarded a San Francisco woman $113,800 in a lawsuit she filed against Lucasfilm Ltd. after the company allegedly refused to hire her because she was pregnant. Julie Veronese claimed in her lawsuit that in April 2008 she as given a temporary job with Lucasfilms as an assistant and promised a permanent position. However, when she told her supervisor she was pregnant, Veronese says the job offer was rescinded.

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RJ REYNOLDS SETTLES UNPAID OVERTIME WAGES LAWSUIT

Tobacco company R.J. Reynolds has agreed to an undisclosed settlement in a lawsuit brought on by employees over overtime wages. The suit claimed that the company instructed employees not to include overtime hours and failed to provide the compensation which they were entitled to under law. While the amount of the settlement was not disclosed, the lawsuit sought $5 million.

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Employee Injured When Thrown from Horse

An employee at a Medieval Times restaurant in Schaumburg, Ill. has filed a lawsuit against the owners after he was flung from a horse during a dinner show. Frank Kaszycki claims in his lawsuit that during the show, the horse suddenly reared up and threw him onto his back and then fell on top of him, causing him injury. The lawsuit is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.  Serena Maria Daniels, Chicago Tribune.

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LAWSUIT FILED AFTER MAN DIES ON CONSTRUCTION SITE

An Illinois water processing plant and a Pennsylvania-based heavy equipment manufacturer were negligent in the death of a man killed during a construction project, a lawsuit filed by family members claims. According to the lawsuit Jose Meza was crushed to death after a safety harness became entangled in the skid steer loader he was operating at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant. The lawsuit seeks at least $50,000 in damages.

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Lawsuit Claims Employees Exposed to Radiation

Employees of Exxon Mobile have filed a lawsuit against their employe.  The lawsuit alleges the employers were exposed radioactive material in used oil drilling pipes.  The plaintiffs allege Exxon knew of the risk of radiation since the 1930s, but recklessly put profits ahead of safety.  The plaintiffs are asking for $17 million in damages.

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Administrative Assistant Files Lawsuit for Unpaid Overtime Pay

An administrative assistant has filed a lawsuit against her employer for unpaid overtime pay.  The administrative assistant claims her employer, Blackstone Group LP, required her to work 45-50 hours per week and owes her almost 2 years worth of overtime pay.

Her employer claims she was an “exempt” employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) because she was in a management position.  The plaintiff claims she was misclassified her as management and is due overtime pay.

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If you have worked more than 40 hours in one week for you employer and you have not received overtime pay (time and a half), you may be entitled to money damages.