News from May 2015
Silicon Valley licensing company crafts ‘best practices,’ argues it could transform patent system
EAST PALO ALTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - As the number of bills aimed at reforming the nation’s patent system continue to pile up in Congress, one Silicon Valley company argues that a more commonsensical approach to the perceived "patent troll” problem is needed.
Trial continues in med mal case against Duke hospital, surgeon for allegedly reconnecting patient’s intestine to vagina
DURHAM, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - A jury trial is set to continue Thursday in a medical malpractice case against Duke University Medical Center after one of its surgeons allegedly reconnected a patient’s intestine to her vagina instead of her rectum.
Massachusetts habilitation center fined $94,000 for billing Medicaid for services not provided
Life Focus Center, of Charlestown will pay more than $94,000 in penalties after it billed Massachusetts' Medicaid for services it didn't provide, said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on Tuesday.
TurboTax parent company cited over data breeches
A major online tax filing company faces allegations it did not keep personal information of its customers safe from outside sources.
Tommie Copper cited over alleged benefits of athletic wear
A class action lawsuit alleges the makers of “copper-infused” athletic apparel do not provide the benefits that are advertised.
Makers of Slim Jim cited over 'slack-fill' in packaging
The makers of a popular dried sausage snack are cited in a class action suit, alleging its packaging misleads consumers.
Wal-Mart cited over herbal supplement ingredients
Wal-Mart faces a class action lawsuit alleging its herbal supplements did not contain the major ingredients advertised on the label.
Alabama's BP contract to politically active firm only stipulates 'reasonable' attorneys fees
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Despite vowing not to appoint outside attorneys to assist in state litigation in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill case, Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, in a turnabout, named several private attorneys as deputy attorney generals, including members of the politically active Montgomery, Ala.-based firm Beasley Allen.
Okla. governor vetoes AG-backed bill requiring state to develop plan to comply with EPA carbon mandate
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin last week vetoed a bill that would have required the state to develop its own plan to comply with the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rules regarding carbon emissions.
U.S. SC vacates another ruling over Obamacare’s contraception mandate
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court last week returned another federal appeals court’s decision backing the contraception requirement of President Barack Obama’s federal health care law.
Prince George's Circuit Court honors veterans with special focus on women in military
The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County is set to host its sixth annual Veterans Muster on May 21 at 9:30 a.m. The event will take place at the Prince George’s County Courthouse, located at 14735 Main Street in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Policy experts line up in debate over right-to-work zones in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - In recent years, three of Illinois’ neighbors – Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin – have passed statewide right-to-work laws that no longer require employees to join a labor union and pay membership dues even if that union represents workers at their place of employment.
Head of state court nominated to Maine SC
AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) - Maine Gov. Paul LePage last week nominated the head of the state Superior Court to fill a vacancy on the state’s highest court.
Ala. governor signs bill reversing state SC’s ‘innovator liability’ ruling
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has signed into law a bill overturning a state Supreme Court ruling that held a brand-name drug manufacturer can be liable for physical injuries caused by a generic drug product that it neither made nor sold.
Wells Fargo alleged to have 'enriched itself' instead of helping homeowners
A major bank faces a civil suit over allegations it used federal funds to enrich itself rather than help struggling homeowners modify their mortgages.
GNC cited over 'slack-fill' in supplemental products
A major supplement provider faces allegations its packaging misleads consumers when comparing the size of the package to the actual product inside.
Bobcat cited over fuel tank capacity
A skid-steer manufacturer is being sued over allegations it misrepresented the abilities of its compact skid-steer loaders in order to induce consumers to purchase the products.
Newly elected Wis. SC chief justice vows to ‘repair’ high court
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - The newly elected chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court says she will focus on repairing the damage that has been done to the reputation of the state’s high court.