Resolves overtime violations of Fair Labor Standards Act. After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Boehm Family Enterprises LLC – doing business as McElwain Brothers Paint and Collision in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania – has paid $33,731 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages for a […]
AASP/NJ Executive Director Calls State Farm RICO Settlement “Travesty of Justice”
Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) President Jerry McNee and Executive Director Charles Bryant have spoken out about State Farm and Plaintiffs settlement announced last week on charges it conspired to elect an Illinois Supreme Court Justice to avoid a $1 billion settlement against the insurer over its specification of non-OEM parts […]
NY Mercedes Dealer and North State Custom Settle Second Lawsuit
In what might be the final chapter in the parties’ continuing legal saga, Celebrity Auto of Westchester LLC d/b/a Mercedes-Benz of Goldens Bridge and North State Autobahn Inc. d/b/a North State Custom announced that they have settled their second lawsuit against each other. In 2017, North State Custom filed a lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz of Goldens […]
Attorneys General in 17 States Sue to Block Changes to EPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions on MY 2022-2025 Vehicles
EPA had proposed revising standards last month A coalition of 17 Attorneys General is suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to preserve the greenhouse gas emission standards currently in place for model year 2022-2025 vehicles. The increasingly stringent emissions standards have been behind the adoption of lightweight materials in vehicle designs that have forced […]
U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $306,000 in Back Wages and Damages from New York Collision Repair Center
Settlement benefits 21 employees of Long Island shop with overtime and recordkeeping violations of Fair Labor Standard Act. After an investigation and litigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Farmingdale Auto Collision Inc. and its owner and officers have paid $306,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 21 employees to resolve violations of the […]
Federal Court Rejects ABPA Effort to Invalidate Ford Collision Repair Body Parts Design Patent
Judge declines ABPA motion to rule Ford F-150 body part design patents invalid and unenforceable. In a decision issued February 20, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan declined a motion for summary judgement by the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) to invalidate two of Ford’s design patents covering patents for body […]
U.S. Senator Reiterates Call to Investigate Auto Insurance “Scheme”
A frequent critic of both insurance companies and vehicle manufacturers, U.S. Senator Blumenthal of Connecticut asks Attorney General to investigate possible illegal practices by auto insurers. Asks for DOJ update on 1963 Consent Decree’s applicability to today’s marketplace. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal announced yesterday that he sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging […]
Collision Repairers File 2nd Amended Complaint in Antitrust Suit against Auto Insurers
As expected, collision repairers have filed another amended complaint seeking to address concerns that led Judge to dismiss the case for a second time last month. Collision repair facility operators in Florida have filed a second amended complaint in their suit brought against more than 30 insurance companies. As CollisionWeek reported January 23, U.S. District […]
Antitrust Suits against Auto Insurers Suffer Setback
U.S. District Judge finds problems with the complaint brought by collision repair facilities alleging antitrust violations. Allows plaintiffs until February 10 to amend complaint on six of seven counts. 1963 Consent Decree found not to apply to current case. In an amended order issued yesterday, U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has dismissed without prejudice […]
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Who Helped Overturn Aftermarket Parts Verdict against State Farm at Center of Election Controversy Again
Effort to get Justice Lloyd Karmeier voted off the court gains the financial support of Plaintiff Attorneys who could gain from reinstatement of judgments in class-action lawsuits. Donations in the election of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier are again making headlines. This time, however, plaintiff attorneys were reported this week to have made large […]