News from July 2016
CFPB outlines possible proposals to overhaul debt collection market
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently outlined a set of proposals it is considering as part of a plan to overhaul the debt collection market — capping collector contact attempts and helping ensure companies collect the correct debt.
FAIR Plan to pay $350,000 after allegations of impermissibly canceling homeowners insurance policies
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (FAIR Plan) will pay $350,000 after allegations of impermissibly canceling homeowners insurance policies between January 2010 and February 2014.
DOJ announces $17 million settlement with Lexington Medical Center
The Department of Justice announced that the Lexington County Health Services District Inc., which does business as Lexington Medical Center, will pay $17 million after allegations it violated the Physician Self-Referral Law (The Stark Law) and the False Claims Act.
EEOC sues Sealed Air Corporation for alleged sex discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Sealed Air Cor., a protective packaging business, for allegations of violating federal law through sex discrimination.
EEOC takes action against Nabor Industries and C&J Energy for alleged racial harassment
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced lawsuits against Nabor Industries Ltd. and C&J Energy, two Bermuda-based companies in the oilfield services industry, for allegations of widespread racial harassment directed toward African-American employees.
Class action takes aim at United Airlines’ checked baggage policy
The class plaintiff, a Hawaii resident, argues that the airline’s policy, which allegedly maximizes “unaccompanied suitcases” on its passenger flights, puts profits over safety.
Consumer accuses Credence Resource Management of telephone harassment
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A Los Angeles County woman has filed a class-action suit against a debt collector over allegations of harassing behavior.
Snapchat users file class action alleging it stores users' biometrics without consent
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Two Illinois Snapchat users have filed a suit against the application over allegations that it stores information that made them susceptible to identify theft.
Telebrands accused of manufacturing defective Pocket Hoses
NEW JERSEY (Legal Newsline) – Two consumers have filed a suit against a water hose manufacturer over allegations that the hoses are defective.
Company sued over alleged single ‘junk’ fax wants question of relief offer to be heard by First Circuit
Cayan LLC d/b/a Capital Bankcard filed its renewed motion for certification of an interlocutory appeal and stay of proceedings with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts last month. The defendant served plaintiff South Orange Chiropractic Center LLC an offer of judgment under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 68, as well as a settlement offer, in December 2015 -- months after the New Jersey-based chiropractor filed its putative class action.
Pokémon Nope: Try not to catch the first lawsuit over the app, attorney says
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The time is fast coming when all those attempts to "catch' em all" in Pokémon Go lands someone in litigation, a Washington, D.C.-based labor and employment attorney said during a recent interview.
Second Circuit reverses approval of $7.25 billion settlement with Visa and Mastercard
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) —The largest antitrust class action settlement in history was recently put to a halt by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Denial of injunction paves way for addition of six pesticides to Prop 65 List
OEHHA is adding six triazines pesticides to the Prop 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer, developmental or reproductive harm in light of a trial court denying Syngenta Crop Science's request for injunction relief.
MCCi and VP Imaging agree to void their anticompetitive arrangement
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that MCCi LLC and VP Imaging Inc., doing business as DocuNav Solutions, have agreed to settle allegations stemming from agreements the companies made not to compete in the market for enterprise content management software.
DOJ announces $18 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, Acclarent
The Department of Justice announced that Acclarent Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, will pay $18 million after allegations of false claim violations related to circumventing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process.
LAN Airlines to pay more than $22 million after allegations of improper payments
LAN Airlines, a South American-based company, will pay more than $22 million after allegations of improper payments it authorized during a labor dispute, The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced.
EEOC takes action against Oilfield Instrumentation for alleged ADA violations
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Oilfield Instrumentation USA Inc., an oilfield services company, for allegations of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Fruit of the Earth accused of misrepresenting ingredients in aloe vera product
SAN FRANCISCO – Three consumers have filed a class-action suit against a Texas company alleging it falsely advertises its aloe vera gel.
Louisiana federal judge affirms remand of former employee’s class action against auto parts retailer
Judge Susie Morgan said in an order this month that the class action should remain in state court, denying a motion for reconsideration filed by defendant Advance Stores Company, d/b/a Advance Auto Parts.
Rare data breach claim against a county settled for $1M
MILACA, Minn. (Legal Newsline) – Hundreds of Mille Lacs County, Minn. residents went to bed on July 1 with a million reasons to feel a little better.