News from November 2016
Company paying $500K in 'standalone' whistleblower retaliation case brought by SEC
WASHINGTON D.C. — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has closed its first case citing a whistleblower anti-retaliation mechanism without including securities-based charges.
Study suggests medical tort reform could save billions
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A recent study says medical liability reform at the state level reduced total health care premiums by 2.6 percent, and that if those same reforms were made on a national level, insured Americans could save more than $15 billion.
Dallas asbestos firm argues it hasn’t failed to obey federal judge’s orders
Judge Consuelo B. Marshall for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued a one-page order last week, asking Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett PC to show cause why its case against John Crane Inc. over the company’s allegations of racketeering shouldn’t be dismissed for failure to prosecute.
Medical services company alleges Buena Park conspired to monopolize ambulance service in the city
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California corporation is suing the City of Buena Park and CARE Ambulance Service, Inc., California business, citing alleged unfair competition and violation of federal law.
Stockholder accuses National Beverage Corp. of providing misleading financial information
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A stockholder has filed a class action lawsuit against National Beverage Corp., Nick A. Caporella, Gregory P. Cook, and George R. Bracken and its board, citing alleged violation of federal law.
Lifeenergy LLC accused of making harassing phone calls
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) — A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Lifeenergy, LLC, a Texas corporation, citing alleged violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Consumer sues People Against Dirty, claims 'natural' products contain synthetic material
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Method Products, PBC, and People Against Dirty, PBC, California business, citing alleged negligent misrepresentation.
Lawsuit claims Johnson & Johnson's tooth whitener product doesn't work
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — Consumers have filed a class-action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, McNeil-PPC, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc., and Ranir LLC, New Jersey corporation, citing alleged negligent misrepresentation.
PlayStation 4 owner accuses Sony of selling a defective product
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A PlayStation 4 owner has filed a class action lawsuit against Sony, citing alleged fraudulent business practices.
Graduates file class action suit against DeVry alleging they failed to get jobs as promised
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — New graduates have filed a class action lawsuit against DeVry University, Inc., citing alleged false and misleading marketing practices.
Publix named in class action suit for allegedly selling grated cheese with fillers
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against Publix Super Markets Inc., citing alleged breach of implied warranty and breach of warranty.
US Student Loan Center accused of sending unwanted text messages
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — Individuals have filed a class action lawsuit against US Student Loan Center, a California corporation, citing alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Class action claims pasta makers sold natural pasta with artificial pesticide
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — Individuals have filed a class action lawsuit against Ebro North America and New World Pasta Co. Inc., manufacturer, citing alleged false advertising, misleading labeling and omissions, misrepresentations, and failure to warn.
Class action says Marathon keeping revenue from lessees
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - Oklahoma landowners have filed a federal class action lawsuit against Texas-based oil and natural gas company Marathon Oil, asserting the energy giant owes more than $5 million in gas and oil royalties.
Wells Fargo launches internal investigation after class action filed
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - The allegations that
brought to light questionable practices at Wells Fargo and Co. have
prompted the international banking corporation to conduct its own internal
investigation on the matter.
Cordray letter about gender identity discrimination not a rule, former CFPB official says
When Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray wrote a letter in August, giving the bureau's views about whether credit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation violates the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), it prompted speculation.
Asbestos firm's political donations draw attention as trial lawyers eye Democratic Senate
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - As trial lawyers seek a Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate, as well as a Democratic president, a major asbestos firm in Massachusetts is catching flak for doling out bonuses to its attorneys that match their contributions to various political campaigns -- mostly Democratic.
Sharp Healthcare in San Diego to pay $90,000 after allegations of disability discrimination
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced this week that Sharp Healthcare, one of San Diego County’s largest private companies, will pay $90,000 after allegations of disability discrimination.
FTC joins DOJ in amicus brief in a Visa and MasterCard case involving ATM fees
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced last week that it has joined the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division in an amicus brief filed by the Solicitor General in the cases of Visa Inc., et al. v. Osborn and Visa Inc., et al v. Stoumbos.
FTC to issue second Federal Register notice about e-cigarette industry
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced last week that it will issue a second Federal Register notice on proposed compulsory process orders to marketers of electronic cigarettes. The goal will be to obtain information about their sales and marketing expenditures.