News from October 2009
Ind. to receive $2 million in stock from industrial cleanup‏
Greg Zoeller ANGOLA, Ind. (Legal Newsline) - In connection with the cleanup for the former Dana-Weatherhead industrial site, the state of Indiana will receive approximately $2 million in stock from the Dana Corp.
N.H. settles with fundraising company that failed to donate proceeds‏
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - A fundraising organization that allegedly failed to pay proceeds from the sales of donated cars to the charity specified by the car donors has agreed to a settlement with New Hampshire's attorney general.
Bank of America waives privilege in Cuomo probe
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Bank of America has agreed to waive attorney-client privilege in New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's investigation into whether the company withheld information about its purchase of Merrill Lynch to investors.
Medical malpractice litigation blamed for rising health care costs
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline)-Medical malpractice litigation has driven up U.S. health care costs dramatically, translating into higher costs for consumers, a study said Tuesday.
U.S. Supreme Court urged to protect secured creditors' rights in bankruptcy‏
U.S. Supreme Court building NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Important Chapter 11 protections that secured creditors rely on in bankruptcy proceedings will be threatened if a 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals decision is not overturned, the Washington Legal Foundation said.
Schwarzenegger draws praise for vetoing 'job killer' liability expansions
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger drew praise Monday for his vetoes of three bills that critics said would have cost jobs and increased litigation in the state.
Calif. AG candidate seeks to bar blanket veto threats
Alberto Torrico (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Alberto Torrico, a California assemblyman running for state attorney general, said Sunday that he will introduce legislation this week that would bar governors from threatening mass vetoes.
Calif. officials deadlocked over water plan; 704 bills inch toward possible veto
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Legislative leaders in California have just hours to reach a deal with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to convince the Republican not to veto many of the 704 bills awaiting his action, including proposals opposed by legal reformers.
Kan. refinery sued over oil spill
COFFEYVILLE, Kan. (Legal Newsline)-Three Kansas business owners have filed a lawsuit against Coffeyville Resources Refining and Marketing, alleging that refinery workers left open an oil tanker valve which created a spill.
Congresswoman: Tort reform to be a part of final health care bill
Doris Matsui (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-The health care overhaul bill congressional Democrats hope to send President Barack Obama this year will very likely contain some measure of tort reform, a Sacramento-area congresswoman told Legal Newsline on Saturday.
CBO: Legal reforms would save taxpayers billions in health care costs
Orrin Hatch (R) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-As much as $54 billion could be saved over the next 10 years if Congress enacts limits on medical malpractice lawsuits, a congressional report says.
N.H. man settles over violations of shoreland and wetland laws‏
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - A New Hampshire man has agreed to pay up to $40,000 in penalties for violations of the state's shoreland and wetland laws.
Conn. A.G. pitches in to stem loss of union jobs‏
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut's attorney general has asked a federal judge to allow him to file a friend of the court brief supporting a union lawsuit that would block about 1,000 jobs from being transferred out of state and overseas.
Brown won't investigate Schwarzenegger's veto threat
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown said Friday he will not investigate Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's threat to veto legislation unless state legisaltors reach a water deal.
Mass. asbestos removal company fined for failure to pay prevailing wage‏
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - An asbestos removal company in Lowell, Mass., has agreed to a settlement with the state over claims that it failed to pay a prevailing wage to its employees or keep and submit payroll records.
Calif. tort reform group eyes pending bills
Kim Stone SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Amid the hundreds of bills sitting on California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk are proposals that have tort reformers nervous - but not really.
Minn. AG sues propane company
Lori Swanson (D) ST.PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline)-The Minnesota Attorney General's office has filed a lawsuit against one of the nation's largest propane energy companies, alleging that they deceived consumers in their ads about their rates and fees charged for propane.
Reid announces upcoming health care vote
Harry Reid (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)- The U.S. Senate Finance Committee will vote next week on legislation that would overhaul the nation's health care system without addressing what doctors have said is much-needed legal reform.
Brown sues alleged document scammers
Jerry Brown (D) SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General has filed lawsuits in San Diego County Superior Court against eitght individuals and six businesses he alleges were scamming companies.
The lawsuits seek more than $3 million.
Meese: Trial lawyers draining the economy
Edwin Meese III SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Frivolous lawsuits filed by the nation's trial lawyers are a drain on the economy, former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese III said Thursday night.