News from 2016
Retirement board's new figures indicate massive increase for False Claims Act penalties
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — A rule recently issued by the Federal Railroad Retirement Board likely points to penalties under the False Claims Act nearly doubling starting on Aug. 1.
What is 'healthy?' FDA to re-consider meaning of term
SILVER SPRING, Md. (Legal Newsline) – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is re-evaluating the meaning of the term "healthy" for use on food labels.
Environmental coalition sues EPA over wastewater guidelines
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A coalition of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colombia, seeking to force it to revise and publish new guidelines for the handling of oil and gas waste, in particular wastewater associated with the oil mining method known as fracking.
Rising shareholder class actions an 'important issue'
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – With a Cornerstone Research report recently revealing that the number of accounting securities class action lawsuits went up again in 2015, Dorsey & Whitney LLP partner Thomas O. Gorman told Legal Newsline that “firms would be well advised to carefully evaluate their compliance programs and internal controls to ensure they are effective.”
Department of Education increases investigations into website compliance with ADA
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – School districts and educational institutions across the country take heed: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has recently opened as many as 350 nationwide investigations to determine whether educational agencies’ websites are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Complaints about Subaru Outback's lights preceded class action
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The federal agency responsible for taking consumer complaints about vehicle defects has recorded roughly 90 complaints about 2010 and 2011 Subaru Outbacks whose exterior lights allegedly fail frequently and prematurely.
Attorney: CFPB study shows arbitration more often benefits consumers
Defense attorney Matt Stromquist joins academics, industry and federal lawmakers in criticizing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s set of proposed rules prohibiting mandatory arbitration clauses that prevent class action lawsuits and the study upon which they’re based. Stromquist also takes issue with how arbitration has been depicted in recent months.
EEOC announces $45,000 settlement with Office Concepts Inc.
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that Office Concepts Inc. will pay $45,000 to settle allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
FTC approves final order in case against Henry Schein Practice Solutions
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that, after a public comment period, it has approved a final order that resolves allegations Henry Schein Practice Solutions Inc. falsely advertised the level of encryption it provided to protect patient data.
FTC settles with Lunada over allegations of deceptive marketing
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Lunada Biomedical Inc. and its three principals settled allegations of deceptive marketing related to the dietary supplement, Amberen.
FTC approves final consent order in Lord & Taylor case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it has approved a final consent order after public comment that settles allegations Lord & Taylor failed to properly disclose paid native advertising and online endorsements for its products.
EEOC accuses Covenant Transport of disability discrimination
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced it has filed a lawsuit against Covenant Transport Inc., charging the trucking company with violations of federal disability laws.
Public interest firm takes fight over class action settlement to U.S. SC
The Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Center for Class Action Fairness filed a petition with the nation’s highest court last week, asking for review of a settlement that awarded $5 million in fees to class counsel. CCAF argues the deal -- one of two reached over the sale of personal data reports to debt collectors -- is unfair to the class.
California consumer alleges F. Gavinia & Sons misrepresents coffees
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A California man is suing a coffee products company, alleging it misrepresents certain of its flavored coffees.
Illinois consumer alleges Vizio unlawfully collects data
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - An Illinois consumer is suing Vizio, alleging it tracks certain consumer data without consent.
California customer alleges Maserati vehicles contain defect
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A California customer is suing a car manufacturer, alleging certain of its vehicles contain a key fob defect.
Software service provider claims law firm left it high and dry amid costly patent litigation
Nashville-based Edgenet contends attorneys with international law firm Foley & Lardner LLP failed to disclose an ethical conflict early on in litigation filed against the company in a Wisconsin federal court last year.
California consumer alleges Honest Company products not natural
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California consumer is suing a home cleaning and personal care products company, alleging it misrepresents its products as "natural."
California consumer alleges FanPicks spammed cellphones
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California consumer is suing a fantasy sports game play provider, alleging it sent spam advertisements and promotional offers to his cellphone.
Dentists allege 3M's crowns defective
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Several dentists and dental practices are suing the makers of a dental crown product, alleging it is defective.