News from January 2016
Arkansas AG releases comments about EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge presented comments to the Environmental Protection Agency about its Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) supplemental findings on cost.
FrackQuake: Two Okla. lawsuits claim hydraulic fracturing causes earthquakes
Energy companies in Oklahoma are facing two separate lawsuits that claim fracking is increasing earthquakes throughout the state.
FLSA lawsuits break records in 2015 and set to rise in 2016
2015 proved to be a record-breaking year for the number of lawsuits filed in federal court under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and 2016 will probably break that record, a Seyfarth Shaw attorney says.
California woman alleges certain GM vehicles have steering defect
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California woman is suing an automobile manufacturer over claims of a steering system defect.
New York woman alleges Babo Botanicals misrepresents products
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A New York woman is suing a hair and skincare products company over claims certain of its products are falsely marketed as "natural" or "all natural."
Peerless Network, Airbus sued for alleged telemarketing tactics
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California resident is suing an interconnection services company and an aircraft manufacturer over their alleged telemarketing campaign.
Utah men allege New York Road Runners operates illegal lottery
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Two Utah men are suing a New York road race organization, alleging it operates a chance-based lottery that violates New York state law.
California man alleges bait-and-switch scheme by Hilton
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A California man is suing the Hilton hotel chain, alleging a bait-and-switch scheme regarding a hotel stay rebate.
Short-term rental industry should celebrate recent N.Y. ruling, attorney says
The short-term rental industry should be thrilled by a recent New York appellate court ruling in favor of a man who found himself targeted by his town after renting out one of his rooms over the Internet, a Ballard Spahr attorney says.
Mondelez to pay $750,000 over allegations of illegal lead levels in cookies
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — Mondelz International Inc., formerly Kraft Foods, will pay $750,000 to resolve allegations it sold ginger snap cookies containing lead in excess of California limits without the warning required by California’s Proposition 65, California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has announced.
Customer alleges Century's AK-47 rifles defective
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) - A St. Louis man is suing the designers of certain AK-47 rifles, alleging the rifles fire even when in the safety position.
Attorney: Class action against Dollar General affects lower-income consumers
An attorney for the plaintiffs in a lawsuit alleging that discount retailer Dollar General engaged in deceptive marketing practices says that the financial damages claimed in the suit primarily affect low-income consumers.
Third Circuit affirms ruling in class action over Super Bowl tickets
The federal appeals court upheld a New Jersey federal court’s 2015 ruling, concluding that the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue.
AGs want U.S. SC to stay EPA’s Clean Power Plan
A group of state attorneys general also take issue with the federal agency’s implementation plan, which would force cap-and-trade upon states that do not comply with the new rule.
Pa. court rules state AG’s office can use private counsel to pursue consumer protection lawsuits against nursing homes
A majority of the court sided with Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s office in a ruling this month, allowing for increased use of outside attorneys. A group of nursing home operators filed their lawsuit last year, trying to kill plaintiffs law firm Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC’s apparent deal with Kane’s office.
Law prof says plaintiffs in Char-Broil grill class action could have tough road ahead
Dr. Timothy Kaye, a professor of law at Stetson University, says a class action lawsuit over faulty ignition systems on gas grills presents a claim that may be difficult for plaintiffs to prove.
Plaintiff loses challenge to Calif. law in forced labor case over Fancy Feast, appeal to Ninth Circuit
Plaintiff Melanie Barber has, for the moment, lost the first in what is likely to be a wave of class action lawsuits challenging California’s Transparency in Supply Chains Act.
E-cigarette maker sues N.J. law firm over its ‘predatory’ billing
Vapor Corp. alleges Porzio Bromberg & Newman PC proceeded with aggressive litigation in a patent infringement case against the company, attempting to “swindle” it out of millions of dollars through unnecessary legal services allegedly rendered. The firm’s actions forced Vapor to retain outside IP counsel, which settled the patent litigation last month.
Chicago couple claims Asian market blocked out expiration dates
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline)—A Chicago couple is suing an Asian supermarket over claims it blocks out the expiration date on its food products.
California man claims Safeway under-fills tuna cans
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)—An Irvine, California resident is suing a supermarket chain over claims it under-fills its tuna cans.