News from December 2015
FDA revisiting what 'natural' means on food labels; Efforts could affect pending class actions
In light of a spark in class actions against food product manufacturers, the federal Food and Drug Administration announced recently that it is revisiting the use of the term “natural” on food labels.
Duluth couple alleges Per Mar fraudulently overcharged customers
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – A Duluth husband and wife are suing a security services company over claims it overcharges its customers.
Federal judge rules against Apple workers who wanted overtime for bag checks
In November, a California federal court judge granted summary judgment to Apple after employees sought overtime pay for time spent in bag checks.
Osiris, chief officers sued over claims of artificially inflated stock prices
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A man is suing a Maryland regenerative medicine products company and several of its chief officers over claims of artificially inflated stock prices.
U.S. House committee report slams CFPB for campaign against vehicle finance companies
The report, released last week by the House Financial Services Committee, includes internal documents showing that the “disparate impact” theory being used by the bureau to build discrimination cases against auto lenders is weak.
Orange County woman claims deceptive advertising against e-liquid sellers
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – An Orange County woman is suing manufacturers and sellers of e-cigarette products over deceptive misrepresentation of their e-liquids.
Suit claims Faruqi firm breached contract
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A Florida woman is suing her former employer, a New York law firm, over claims it did not pay her according to the parties' contract.
Suit alleges Mayo Clinic made false Medicare claims
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A woman is suing the Mayo Clinic and two of its doctors over alleged false claims made to Medicare.
Federal court won’t certify GM class action over religious accommodation claims -- at least, not yet
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, despite granting the automaker’s motion to dismiss the class action complaint, granted the plaintiffs leave to amend their complaint. The court said the class in the original complaint was not “ascertainable.”
Maryland man alleges AOL misrepresented services
GREENBELT, Md. (Legal Newsline) – A Maryland man is suing AOL over claims the company misled him into purchasing a subscription service to retrieve emails lost when his account was hacked.
Suit claims unsolicited Hubbard House faxes are illegal
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A certain Chicago restaurant is being sued over claims of sending unsolicited fax advertisements.
Court throws out class action against airline over purchased in-flight services
A federal judge last week dismissed the lawsuit, filed by a New Jersey woman in March, concluding that the federal Airline Deregulation Act preempted all of her claims.
Chicago man alleges drug retailers sell non-therapeutically equivalent drug
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A Chicago man is suing food and drug retailers for selling him a drug that was not therapeutically equivalent to the one prescribed by a physician.
Kate Spade faces price-scheming suit
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Two women are suing a designer brand for allegedly falsely advertising original prices and corresponding price discounts.
California woman alleges malpractice against Law Offices of Steven M. Johnson
ABILENE, Texas (Legal Newsline) – A California woman is suing a Texas law office and its agents over claims of professional malpractice.
CFPB explains proposal to prohibit anti-class action language in arbitration clauses
The bureau says it continues to seek feedback from stakeholders -- including consumer groups, industry groups and those representing class action lawyers -- before formally announcing a rule.
Simmons Foundation gave $2.5M to Columbia Univ. over four years; Simmons firm received 26 asbestos referrals over same period
Asbestos lawyer John Simmons stands to make millions more on referrals from Dr. Robert Taub than Simmons' foundation gave Taub’s clinic.
Trial begins for State of Maryland v. William Porter on December 2
The trial of the State of Maryland v. William Porter is set to commence on Wednesday, December 2, 2015.