News from November 2015
Pleading changes coming for patent plaintiffs
Starting Dec. 1, patent plaintiffs will be subject to the same heightened pleading standards required of plaintiffs in other types of civil litigation due to changes made to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Asbestos firm goes on attack in response to Garlock's RICO suit against it
Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett, one of five plaintiffs firms facing racketeering lawsuits from Garlock Sealing Technologies, has filed a counterclaim that maintains Garlock is the one that engaged in racketeering.
AG Madigan sued over refusal to fight work comp claims brought by 'personal assistants'; CMS director says millions have been improperly paid
Over the past five years, more than 200 personal assistants have received $5.8 million in workers' compensation benefits, according to a spokesperson with Illinois Central Management Services, which averages $29,000 per claim.
Maryland Judiciary hosts youth oratorical contest at Court of Appeals
On November 18, 2015, the Maryland Court of Appeals will host the 21st annual Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Oratorical Contest.
Berkshire to pay $5 million in agreement with Healey and DOER
Approximately 39,000 affected customers and state alternative heating programs will receive $500 million from Iberdola and UIL Holdings Corp., the parent company of Berkshire Gas Co. (Berkshire) in an agreement announced by Attorney General Maura Healey and the Department of Energy Resources.
Attorney: N.Y. AG pushing climate change issue with ExxonMobil investigation
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is investigating ExxonMobil for possibly suppressing climate change research from both the public and the company’s investors, and an attorney says it is an example of a state attorney general using his position to advance his political agenda.
Settlement reached in multi-state lawsuit against UPS after allegations of illegal delivery practices
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $4 million settlement has been reached with United Parcel Service (UPS) amidst allegations the company was overcharging certain government customers for inaccurate delivery of premium next-day packages.
Aspen Dental Management to pay settlement amid false advertising claims
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (Legal Newsline) – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced that a settlement has been reached with Aspen Dental Management after a suit was filed following 73 consumer complaints in Indiana about false advertising and unfair promotion tactics.
American Pro Energy facing lawsuit over claims it violated telephone spamming laws
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Two Los Angeles citizens are filing a lawsuit against American Pro Energy over claims of telephone spamming.
7-Eleven requests wage lawsuit be moved to federal court
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – 7-Eleven is requesting a case in which two former employees are suing the company for lost wages and compensation to be heard in federal court.
Wild Planet Foods sued over claims that canned tuna is underweight
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – An Aptos resident is suing a producer of canned tuna over claims that its product is underfilled.
Freight companies seek to have lawsuit moved to federal court
CAMDEN, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – National Freight Inc., and Interactive Logistics Inc., want a case over wage dispute to be heard in a federal court.
Maryland courts celebrate National Adoption Day with special events
Judges in Maryland's Circuit Courts are set to oversee adoption celebrations in the days leading up to National Adoption Day on November 21, 2015.
Thunder on the Mountain organizers face lawsuit over claims of not refunding tickets
FORT SMITH, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – Several concert goers are suing music festival organizers for not refunding their tickets after cancellation of the festival.
Cloud hosting service Egnyte Inc. facing lawsuit over claims it renewed services without consent
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A file sharing and cloud hosting company is facing a suit over claims it renewed services without authorization.
Wonder Wax sued over allegedly misleading claims of product's effectiveness
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – The makers of Wonder Wax are being sued over claims that the product is misleading and does not offer painless hair removal.
Scottrade faces lawsuit over personal data breach
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A group is suing Scottrade claiming that its failure to safeguard their personal information resulted in their personal identity being abused.
California man claims Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen sends text message spam
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California man has filed a lawsuit against Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen over claims of text message spam.
Toyota facing lawsuit over an alleged defect in its HVAC system
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Toyota is facing a lawsuit over claims that their heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems poses a threat to consumer health.
Defendants limited in ways to fight Newport News asbestos suits, ATRA claims
Rulings in the Newport News, Va., asbestos docket are handcuffing defendants that attempt to fight lawsuits, a national legal reform group feels.