News from April 2017
Calif. appeals court upholds judgment of more than $5.8 million against brakes manufacturer
Defendant Honeywell International Inc. appealed the judgment awarded to the spouse and three surviving children of James Lester Phillips. A jury found the mesothelioma contracted by Phillips was caused in part by exposure to asbestos contained in Bendix-brand brakes. Honeywell, formerly known as Allied Corporation and Allied Signal Inc., bought Bendix in 1985.
California challenges Energy Department's delay in enforcing energy efficiency standards
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced April 3 that he has joined a coalition of state attorneys general in opposing the U.S. Department of Energy’s delay in enforcing several energy efficiency standards.
Law firm accuses Time Warner of phone harassment
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — A law firm has filed a class action lawsuit against Time Warner and other companies, alleging violation of federal law and violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Auto safety group accuses FTC of violating law
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — A California auto safety company is suing the Federal Trade Commission, alleging violation of federal law.
Kiss My Face sued over body lotion
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A San Francisco consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against a cosmetics company, alleging fraud, liability, negligent misrepresentation and product liability.
Environmental groups allege Interior Department violated law
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (Legal Newsline) — Environmental groups are suing the U.S. Interior Department, alleging violation of federal law.
Connecticut Supreme Court upholds lower court's ruling in malpractice suit, clarifies doctrine
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – The Connecticut Supreme Court on April 11 affirmed a lower appellate court’s ruling that a patient’s amended claim that a doctor botched a spinal surgery through improper use of a surgical instrument related back to a previous claim alleging negligent use of a different instrument.
Consumer accuses Earthwhile Endeavors of false advertising
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against a health products business, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
Consumer accuses Verizon of fraud
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — A Brooklyn consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Verizon, alleging fraud and unfair competition.
Class action filed against Bargain Bunch
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A California consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Bargain Bunch, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
EEOC settles retaliatory discrimination case with food management company for $35,000
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced April 10 that ABL Management, a food management company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will pay $35,000 after allegations of retaliatory discrimination.
District of Columbia settles with lawyer accused of notario fraud for $250,000
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced April 18 that Unlimited Technology and Solutions Corporation (UTS) and owner Mardoqueo M. Sanchez will pay $250,000 in restitution to settle allegations of unlawful immigrant-consultant services.
Georgia joins 14-state coalition supporting Trump's '1-in, 2-out' executive order
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced April 19 that his office joined a 14-state coalition supporting President Trump’s executive order aimed at reducing governmental regulation. The order mandates that for every regulation created by the government, two must be dropped.
Iowans eligible for Corinthian Colleges restitution
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced April 20 that more than 500 Iowans who were students of schools operated by for-profit Corinthian Colleges Inc. will be eligible for cancellation of federal student loans.
D.C. joins coalition urging Labor Department to stop delaying fiduciary rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced April 20 that he has joined a coalition of attorneys general led by Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller in urging the U.S. Department of Labor to lift its delay on implementing a rule.
Florida attorney general targets mortgage service provider for alleged misconduct
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced April 20 that her office, along with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Drew J. Breakspear, has filed a lawsuit against Ocwen Financial Corporation of West Palm Beach and its subsidiaries, Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC and Ocwen Mortgage Servicing Inc., for alleged mortgage servicing misconduct.
Seattle's law to unionize ride-sharing could damage services like Uber and Lyft
The City of Seattle is attempting to unionize the growing industry of ride-sharing transportation. But some app companies and their drivers are fighting back.
Appeals court decides Texas Tech promotion case won't be reheard
An appeals court judge for the 7th District of Texas this month denied a motion to rehear a case filed by Texas Tech University professor and associate dean James Wetherbe, who claimed he was the subject of defamatory statements that derailed a promotion.
Utah SC upholds denial of Tesla UT to sell new vehicles
The Utah Supreme Court has upheld a decision by the Utah Tax Commission to deny Tesla Motors UT a license to sell new motor vehicles.
Maryland settles Medicaid fraud case with local primary care provider for $450,000
Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh recently announced that Sabiha Mohiuddin, a Frederick, Md.-based primary care physician, has paid $450,000 to the state after allegations of conducting a fraudulent Medicaid billing scheme to increase profits.