Nicholas Malfitano News
NFL alleges widespread fraud by unnamed plaintiffs lawyers, doctors in concussion settlement; Special investigator appropriate, class counsel says
PHILADELPHIA – If the National Football League has their way, sanctions will be issued and a special investigator will be appointed to the NFL’s $1 billion Concussion Settlement program, as the league alleges an independent claims administrator determined that 23 percent of the claims submitted to it were fraudulent.
Pennsylvania second in the country for mesothelioma filings, up 32% from 2016
WASHINGTON – According to a report compiled by a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm that covers mass tort and product liability litigation, Pennsylvania ranks a stark second nationwide in asbestos lawsuits filed by plaintiffs allegedly suffering from mesothelioma.
Controversial class action settlement changed after intervention from AGs, DOJ and CCAF
CAMDEN, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Representatives for the Department of Justice and a group of state attorneys general showed up to a New Jersey courtroom March 19 to voice concerns with a controversial class action settlement that initially paid plaintiffs attorneys $1.7 million while providing $2 per bottle-sold coupons to class members.
Federal judge rules 1,200 Xarelto lawsuits will be removed from MDL for disposition in separate trials
NEW ORLEANS – A federal judge has ruled that 1,200 product liability lawsuits filed against the manufacturers of anti-coagulant drug Xarelto will soon be removed from their multi-district litigation (MDL) status, for resolution in separate jury trials.
NYU Law sending free help to 10 Dem AGs for environmental causes; Marcellus Shale group 'alarmed' at message
NEW YORK – Democratic state attorneys general, like Pennsylvania's Josh Shapiro, are getting free help from New York University School of Law to bolster their environmental causes, though a Commonwealth business advocacy group worries this results in important work being outsourced to an out-of-state entity.
Parents of preteen Trump supporter sue Newsweek Magazine for defamation
PHILADELPHIA – The parents of an avid 12-year-old supporter of President Donald Trump have launched a defamation lawsuit against Newsweek Magazine, for labeling him as a “Trump Mini-Me” and as part of a sinister plot by the political alt-right in “defending raw racism and sexual abuse.”
A possible financial boost awaits thousands of out-of-state plaintiffs in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA – Though a recent Superior Court ruling has livened plaintiff attorneys as to the potential of winning punitive damages in Philadelphia's packed Risperdal program, one lawyer is cautioning against “banking” on such a possibility.
U.S. Supreme Court denies Pennsylvania GOP's request to consider congressional redistricting
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court has an answer for Pennsylvania Republicans who wanted the judiciary to examine the constitutionality of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s decision to redraw its congressional districting map: “No.”
On day Philadelphia's 'Hellhole' status debated, jury hands first win to a Xarelto plaintiff - a whopping $28M
PHILADELPHIA – The very day that a national report is issued naming the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas as a “Judicial Hellhole” where civil lawsuits are handled unfairly against businesses, the first win for plaintiffs in Xarelto litigation is secured with a near-$28 million verdict.
Ariz. AG: 'Shakedown' lawsuits against small businesses about money, not helping disabled
PHOENIX – The attorney general of Arizona recently termed a 150 percent increase nationwide in legal filings connected to alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) since 2013 as “a serious, growing issue” that he believes is more about plaintiff attorneys getting rich than the common good.
Visually impaired plaintiff says online glasses retailer's website violates ADA; Legal reform group says lawyers only after money
NEW YORK – A prospective federal class-action lawsuit filed in New York City last week claims a retailer of online glasses violated both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and New York laws by not providing proper website access for the visually-impaired.
Panel explores overlapping criminal enforcement actions against companies and how penalties are determined
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Insight into the process of crafting of financial penalties for companies alleged to have engaged in corporate misconduct was a prominent topic of discussion in a recent seminar held June 7.
Phoney Lawsuits: TCPA defendant awaits application of Pa. decision to N.J. serial plaintiff
TRENTON, N.J.(Legal Newsline) – In a federal court in New Jersey, a company targeted by a Polish immigrant who has filed more than 30 lawsuits is trying to avoid contributing to his apparently growing bank account, as the case draws to a close.
More than $5 million spent on advertising for Risperdal clients in 2015
Plaintiffs lawyers continue to spend a significant amount of money on advertising to drum up Risperdal clients, the president of a mass torts litigation research firm says.
Early successes at trial, advertising could drive more Risperdal litigation
After three defeats, two of which were seven-figure verdicts, in four Philadelphia trials, what can Janssen Pharmaceuticals look forward to as it tries to resolve at least 1,600 more Risperdal lawsuits in the city?
Plaintiffs 3-for-4 in Philadelphia Risperdal trials, confident punitive damages will be reintroduced
If the results of the first trials are any indication, Janssen Pharmaceuticals might find itself with a hefty price tag connected to more than 1,600 Risperdal cases currently pending in Philadelphia, even without the prospect of paying punitive damages - though an appeal might change that.
Judge limits recovery in class action against Rite Aid to actual damages
PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia federal judge has dismissed a portion of a class action lawsuit filed against Rite Aid over its practice of conducting background screenings on new hires.
Pa. appeals court rules for crane company in asbestos suit
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) – Friday, the Pennsylvania Superior Court affirmed an earlier ruling from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, which had granted summary judgment for a former crane operator in a lawsuit brought by a man who claimed he developed lung cancer as a result of asbestos exposure at his workplace.
Former employee loses class action suit asking for overtime pay against Family Dollar
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) – A January 2014 decision by a federal court granting summary judgment for Family Dollar in an ex-employee’s class action lawsuit was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on April 9.
Third Circuit won't apply Dodd-Frank retroactively, dismisses whistleblower's FCA suit against J&J subsidiary
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) – A federal appeals court has affirmed a prior decision that dismissed the retaliation claim made by a former employee against Animas Corporation and Johnson & Johnson.