Jessica Karmasek News
More class action lawsuits filed against Michigan, Snyder over lead-tainted water
The first class action was filed against the governor and various local and state agencies in November. Two more were filed this month, asking that the City of Flint be enjoined from water shut-offs and that the State be held financially accountable for the “man-made catastrophe.”
Calif. woman files class action against lip balm maker, claiming severe cracking and blistering
EOS -- the maker of the popular lip balm pods -- says the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California last week, is “without merit.”
U.S. SC to hear Microsoft appeal over class action lawsuit filed by Xbox 360 owners
The game console owners argue that a design defect in the system causes scratches to game discs. Microsoft contends any disc scratching can be attributed to consumer misuse, and wants the lawsuit dismissed.
Third Circuit: District courts, not arbitrators, must decide whether a class action dispute should be governed by arbitration
The federal appeals court, in a ruling this month, said the only exception is when the arbitration clause “clearly and unmistakably” delegates the decision to the arbitrator.
Beekeepers, farmers, agriculture groups claim EPA’s ‘inadequate’ regulation of insecticide seed coatings is costing them
The plaintiffs filed their lawsuit against the federal agency in a California federal court last week. They argue the agency should require the coatings to be registered, properly labeled and assessed for potential harm.
U.S. House passes resolution nullifying EPA ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule
House Speaker Paul Ryan contends the new rule -- which extends the agency’s authority to all bodies of water, no matter the size -- hurts farmers and could result in higher fees for small businesses. The White House has said it will veto the resolution, which already has passed the Senate.
Plaintiffs argue AG-appointed special counsel violated federal law by using letterhead
Private attorneys appointed by Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine want the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether they violated federal law by using DeWine’s letterhead in sending debt collection notices. They contend a federal appeals court, in siding with the plaintiffs, got it wrong. A group of state attorneys general agree.
More than 100 file opt-out notices with federal court over proposed W.Va. water crisis settlement
Those wishing to opt out or object to the settlement -- in which Freedom Industries executives have agreed to pay $400,000 -- have until next month to do so.
Gansler predicts more state attorneys general will enter daily fantasy sports fray
The former Maryland attorney general, now an attorney in D.C., says AGs are concerned with the regulation of the industry. Currently, daily, online fantasy sports websites like DraftKings and FanDuel are illegal in only five states.
Texas federal judge finds prolific patent lawsuit filer’s cases ‘unreasonable’
Judge Rodney Gilstrap for the Eastern District of Texas ruled last month that numerous lawsuits filed by eDekka LLC against retailers were “exceptional” because the non-practicing entity’s cases were objectively unreasonable and it litigated in an unreasonable manner.
Authors say public release of Garlock data confirms ‘widespread pattern’ of evidentiary abuse against defendant Crane Co.
In 2014, a federal judge ruled in favor of Legal Newsline and ordered the bankruptcy case’s record to be disclosed to the public.
Calif. federal judge dismisses complaint filed by SeaWorld customers over refunds
Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo, in an order last month, said the proposed class lacked standing, but is allowing class attorneys to file a second amended complaint by the end of the month.
Georgia counties file lawsuits against telephone service providers over millions in unpaid 911 charges
Cobb County filed eight separate lawsuits in federal court last month, alleging the suppliers failed to properly assess, collect and pay 911 charges as required by state law. Gwinnett County joined in filing seven of the suits.
U.S. House to take up combined bill targeting class actions and asbestos litigation abuse this week
The House Committee on Rules is set to take up H.R. 1927 -- now the Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2015 -- Wednesday afternoon and then send it to the House floor for a vote.
Federal judge denies preliminary approval of $1.5 million settlement in case over MSG
Last year, a California man filed a class action lawsuit against the makers of Annie Chun food products, claiming the products’ labels and packaging -- which state all natural ingredients are used and no MSG has been added -- are false and misleading because the products contain ingredients that have MSG.
Bank files class action against company over allegedly illegal collection practices
The defendants, which buy delinquent receivable accounts from condominium and homeowners associations, want the class action lawsuit against them removed to a Florida federal court.
Blue Buffalo reaches $32 million settlement in false advertising class actions
The company said in a statement it decided to settle to eliminate the expense of further litigation. Consumers sued, arguing the company’s pet food products were not consistent with its “True Blue Promise.”
Structured settlement company alleges N.Y. law firm failed to uncover forgeries
Woodbridge Structured Funding filed a lawsuit against Paris & Chaikin PLLC earlier this month, arguing that the supervising members of the firm had an obligation to oversee a former paralegal’s work. The company says the firm advised it that the employee had created numerous court-related documents that had never been filed, and had forged more than 100 purported court-executed judicial orders.
Class actions over allegedly ‘slack-filled’ pepper containers consolidated
Earlier this month, four members of the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation selected the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to handle the lawsuits against McCormick & Co.
Miss. AG hires private lawyers to represent state in lawsuit against opioid makers
Attorney General Jim Hood signed a retention agreement with a Flowood, Miss., law firm last week. Hood is suing the pharmaceutical companies over alleged fraudulent marketing and sales of their painkillers.