News from July 2014
Tentative settlement reached in W.Va. water crisis case
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A tentative settlement has been reached in 24 lawsuits involving Freedom Industries regarding the January chemical leak that affected nine West Virginia counties.
Madison County's asbestos docket lightens from a year ago by more than 100 cases
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - The crowded asbestos docket in Madison County, Ill., saw a drop of more than 100 new asbestos case filings so far this year, which some attorneys attribute to the decrease of lung cancer cases.
Fight rages over punitive damages in N.Y. asbestos cases; Defendants claim 'chaos'
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Nearly four months after New York Supreme Court Justice Sherry Klein Heitler reinstated claims for punitive damages in the New York City Asbestos Litigation, the parties continue to fight over whether the order was proper.
PTO provides examiners with guidance on software patents in light of U.S. SC ruling
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently provided its examiners with guidance on software patents following a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month that ruled some software method and systems patents are invalid.
Kansas AG files lawsuit against medical alert device companies
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Friday a lawsuit has been filed against a group of Utah-based medical device companies that allegedly violated the state's Do Not Call Act. SchmidtSchmidt's office received multiple complaints in 2013 from Kansans who received telemarketing calls saying they could be eligible to receive a free medical alert device. Consumers
Iowa AG seeks injunction against supplement company
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller requested an injunction Friday against a Las Vegas-based health supplement company to stop its Iowa sales and force it to comply with a consumer fraud inquiry.
Indiana AG files lawsuit against telemarketer
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed a lawsuit Friday against a telemarketer and his company for allegedly making illegal pre-recorded calls and impersonating an ADT home security systems representative.
Bondi sues New Jersey corporation over alleged charity scam
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - On Friday, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi sued a New Jersey corporation for allegedly operating an illegal raffle.
Idaho AG settles with Utah security system business
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced Friday a settlement with a Utah-based home security company that allegedly violated the state's Consumer Protection Act by using deceptive sales tactics.
Alabama AG reaches $500,000 settlement with propane providers
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange announced Friday a $500,000 settlement with two propane providers that allegedly violated the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
North Carolina patent troll bill still in negotiations
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - A bill that includes a provision aimed at combating so-called "patent trolls" is closer to becoming law in North Carolina.
U.S. SC decision in False Claims Act case will influence whistleblower suit against Purdue Pharma
BECKLEY, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to address two False Claims Act issues that will affect FCA lawsuits in the future.
Ore. AG suing over 5-Hour Energy
Rosenblum
Asbestos case remanded for failing to provide NASA specs requiring asbestos
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - A Louisiana judge has granted a former insulator's motion to remand his asbestos case based on the Federal Officer Removal Statute, concluding that the defendant failed to provide NASA regulations requiring asbestos.
Federal judge nixes loss of consortium claims when asbestos exposure occurred pre-marriage
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - An Illinois federal judge has ruled that loss of consortium claims in asbestos cases are not appropriate if the asbestos exposure occurred before the plaintiffs got married, meaning the defendant owes no duty to the asbestos victim's spouse.
Study: U.S. SC rulings pose challenge to some in life sciences industry trying to obtain patents
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - A study released last month shows that two U.S. Supreme Court rulings have made it more difficult for companies in the life sciences industry to obtain patents.
Maryland Judiciary prepares legal community for new electronic filing system
Attorneys and legal professionals in Maryland can now register for educational sessions aimed at preparing them for the transition to electronic filing of court documents.
