Nov

1

Bus drivers settle class-action suit

Filed Under Class-action, Palm Beach, Settlements, U.S. District Court | Leave a Comment

Palm Beach County bus drivers will get $1.3 million to settle their federal class-action suit against the school district, according to a story in the Sun-Sentinel.

The suit claimed that the 900 drivers and attendants did not receive overtime, despite working more than 40 hours per week.

The drivers, who were represented by the Shavitz Law Group of Boca Raton, will get between $1,200 and $1,300 each.

Oct

30

Judge to decide canker suit

Filed Under Class-action, Palm Beach | Leave a Comment

The Palm Beach County class-action canker suit is now with Judge Robin Rosenberg, who will decide the value of the citrus trees destroyed during the state’s 11-year eradication program, which ended in January 2006, according to a story in The Palm Beach Post.

If Rosenberg decides the state is liable to pay homeowners beyond the $100 Wal-Mart voucher received for the first tree and the $55 for each additional tree, a jury will decide the amount in March.

Robert Gilbert, the attorney representing the lead clients, has argued that the state should pay the 41,000 Palm Beach County residents who are part of the suit, about $400 a tree.

Oct

23

Expert: Citrus trees worth $500 million

Filed Under Class-action, Palm Beach | Leave a Comment

Depending on who you believe the 66,000 Palm Beach County citrus trees removed during the state’s canker eradication program were valued either at $500 million or absolutely nothing.

An expert for the plaintiffs in the class-action suit filed on behalf of Palm Beach County residents who had their trees cut down said large trees were worth as much as $700, according to Susan Salisbury’s story in the Palm Beach Post. A state agriculture official, however, testified that the state’s position is that trees removed during the 11-year program had no value.