A lot of ridiculous lawsuits were filed in New Jersey this year, but only one can be crowned 2015’s Most Ludicrous Lawsuit. This year, the esteemed honor goes to the man who tried to sue Applebee’s because his fajitas were too hot to pray over.
On December 21, the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee held a hearing on S3162, which would protect authorized medical marijuana patients from adverse employment actions. NJCJI testified in opposition to this legislation.
Earlier this week, the United States Supreme Court issued a legal smackdown to courts in California that were asserting that state arbitration law took precedence over federal case law. The 6-3 ruling is not a sweeping change that is going to impact all arbitration agreement everywhere, but a reminder that the Supremacy Clause exists for a reason.
On Thursday, December 17, the New Jersey Senate voted 22-17 to pass S785, which would require businesses in the state to offer their employees paid sick leave. NJCJI opposed this legislation because the highly prescriptive structure of the bill, compounded by the incentivized litigation enforcement mechanism, will deprive employers of the necessary flexibility to manage their business and respond to suspected abuse if it is enacted.
On Thursday, December 17, the New Jersey Assembly passed A3403, which would award more money to workers compensation attorneys at the expense of their injured clients. NJCJI voiced strong opposition to this legislation, which will now head to Gov. Christie’s desk.
The American Tort Reform Association has released its annual “Judicial Hellholes” report, and New Jersey is once again recognized as a state on the brink of becoming a litigation hot spot. ATRA notes that our state’s consumer protection laws are far from mainstream, and our court system is becoming hostile to arbitration agreements, in direct contravention of federal law.
This Thursday, December 17, the New Jersey Senate has scheduled a vote on S785, which would require all businesses in the state to offer their employees paid sick leave. NJCJI has joined a slew of pro-business groups opposing this legislation, which is being sponsored by Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D - Teaneck). While other organizations focus on the broader implications this bill will have on the state’s economy (see information on this from NJBIA), NJCJI is focused on how the highly prescriptive structure of the bill, compounded by the incentivized litigation enforcement mechanism, would deprive employers of the necessary flexibility to manage their business and respond to suspected abuse.
This Thursday, December 17, the New Jersey Assembly is voting on A3403, which would award more money to workers compensation attorneys at the expense of their injured clients.
On Monday, the Assembly Labor Committee voted to advance to the floor a package of bills that would prohibit employers from conducting credit history checks on employees and job applicants.
