Sabatini and Associates, LLC Attorneys at Law :: Newington :: Hartford :: Connecticut

1.2 Million Dollar Judgment Obtained

James Sabatini — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:37:22 +0000

Sabatini and Associates, LLC represented the estate of a 38 year old women who was the victim of a cross over collision. The Superior Court in Connecticut entered judgment in favor of the estate for the sum of 1.2 Million Dollars

Retained in Corporate Dispute

James Sabatini — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:32:56 +0000

The law firm of Sabatini and Associates, LLC was recently retained in a corporate dispute between a minority member and the Limited Liability Company. The firm represents the minority member who is being forced out.

Toyota Halts Sales On 8 Recalled Vehicle Models

James Sabatini — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:20:59 +0000

Toyota is suspending U.S. sales of eight recalled vehicle models to fix accelerator pedals that stick. As part of the plan, Toyota is halting production at five manufacturing facilities for the week of Feb. 1 “to assess and coordinate activities.” There are 2.3 million vehicles involved in the recall, which was announced last week. The sales suspension includes the 2009-2010 RAV4, the 2009-2010 Corolla, the 2009-2010 Matrix, the 2005-2010 Avalon, the 2007-2010 Camry, the 2010 Highlander, the 2007-2010 Tundra and the 2008-2010 Sequoia. Toyota previously recalled 4.2 million vehicles due to gas pedals that could become trapped under floor mats, causing the vehicle to accelerate.

Whirpool Ordered To Pay Over 1 Million For Harassing A Black Female Worker

James Sabatini — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:00:37 +0000

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently obtained a court judgment of $1,073,261 against Whirlpool Corporation in a race and sex discrimination lawsuit on behalf of Carlota Freeman, an African American former employee at the company’s LeVergne, Tenn.-based facility. According to the lawsuit, Whirlpool failed to protect Freeman from persistent harassment by a white male coworker, which ultimately resulted in her being physically assaulted by him. The Court agreed.

Following a bench trial, Tennessee District Court Judge John T. Nixon awarded Freeman $773,261 in back pay and front pay, and $300,000 in compensatory damages for non-pecuniary injuries – the maximum allowed under federal law. During the four-day trial, the evidence showed that Freeman reported escalating offensive verbal conduct and gestures by the male coworker over a period of two months before he physically assaulted her; four levels of Whirlpool’s management were aware of the escalating harassment; Whirlpool failed to take effective steps to stop the harassment; and, Freeman suffered devastating permanent mental injuries that will prevent her from working again as a result of the assault and Whirlpool’s failure to protect her.

In its defense, Whirlpool claimed that it had posted its anti-discrimination and harassment policies in the workplace and thereby relived itself from liability. However, the court correctly pointed out that when those charged with enforcing a policy don’t take that responsibility seriously, an employer has not met its duty under Title VII to prevent and stop illegal harassment in its workplace.

CONVERSATION COMMISSION APPROVES WETLAND MAP AMENDMENT

James Sabatini — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:47:51 +0000

Vincent F. Sabatini an attorney with Sabatini and Associates, LLC represented the potential buyer of a 3.5 acre parcel of land located in Newington, CT. The client wanted to develop the land. However the town’s wetlands map showed that most of the parcel was wetlands. A soils expert was retained to conduct a survey of the land to determine if the town’s wetland map was accurrate. The soil expert determined that the map was not correct. Based on the report, an application was submitted to the town’s Conservation Commission. This commission has jurisdiction over wetlands. The application requested the commision to amend the wetland line to conform to the soils report. After public hearing the application was approved. The wetlands line was moved allowing the land to be developed.

Zoning Regulation Amendment

James Sabatini — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:37:46 +0000

Sabatini and Associates, LLC represented a religious sect which desired to have its clergy reside on the premises where the temple was located. A review of the local zoning ordinances in Newington, CT, revealed that the regulations did not contain any reference to housing for religious clerics. A survey of various religious institutions in Newington revealed that despite the lack of regulations permitting housing for religious clerics, many were in existience. Sabatini and Asociates, LLC attorney Vincent F. Sabatini drafted an amendment to the zoing regulations which would allow places of worship to have clerics reside on the same premises as the place of worship. The application for an amendment was filed and after public hearing the Plan and Zoning Commission unamiounisly approved the same. The regulation is now in effect.

Sabatini & Associates – 2010 Directory of Distinguished Attorneys

James Sabatini — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:21:44 +0000

Sabatini and Associates, LLC is pleased to announce that it has received induction into the 2010 directory of Distinguished Attorneys. The Martindale-Hubbell Directory of Distinguished Attorneys includes only firms with Very High Ratings in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards.

Zoning Amendment passes Commission

James Sabatini — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:12:42 +0000

The law firm of Sabatini and Associates represented the Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottan Awaminarayan Sanstha-northeast Temple in Newington. The temple needed to establish a residence for their religious leader. They wanted the residence to be part of the temple building. However, upon application for a building permit, they found that the town did not have a zoning regulation permitting the same. It was then necessary to draft a new zoning regulation and apply for an amendment. The amended regulation was set for a public hearing. After the hearing the commission voted to approve the amendment. Of note is the fact that the town had approximately six residences associated with churches. This amendment now makes all of the housing legal.

Zoning Appeal leds to revised plan

James Sabatini — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:53:49 +0000

Connecticut Zoning Lawyer-Land Use. The law firm represented abutting property owners who claimed that the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Newington, CT failed to properly approve a modification to a building housing a church. The building construction began four years ago and then construction stopped. The church sought a modification which was approved by the Commission. However, the abuters claimed that the Commission failed to properly insure that the HVAC system would meet the town’s noise ordinance. On appeal, the court held several mediation sessions which resulted in a revised plan which was approved by the Commission. Attorney Vincent F. Sabatini represented the abutters.

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Chase Bank For Credit Card Abuse

James Sabatini — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:55:51 +0000

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Chase Bank USA, N.A. after the credit card issuer more than doubled minimum monthly payments and imposed an “Account Service Charge” on customers who had accepted its fixed-rate balance transfer offers.

The class action complaint alleges that Chase induced preferred customers to take out sizable balance-transfer loans by offering 2.99% to 4.99% promotional rates that would remain fixed for the life of the loan. It is alleged that after soliciting these long term loans – and charging transaction fees of up to 3% of the loan amount – Chase implemented a “forced loan modification program” to coerce consumers to surrender the benefit of their fixed promotional rates.

Chase has recently notified customers that unless they pay off their entire loan balance within 30 days or accept a higher annual rate, Chase will more than double their required minimum monthly payment and charge a $10 fee for each month that the loan remains outstanding.