News from February 2017
Anne Arundel students attend court program to learn about law and consequences
Approximately 130 high school students from Anne Arundel County will participate in the Schools in the Court program at the Anne Arundel County District Court in Annapolis.
Study: New York, California courts ‘magnets’ for workplace class actions
According to a Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s statistical study of class certification rulings in 2016, more conditional certification motions were granted within the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Ninth Circuit than any other courts in the country.
Texas federal judge upholds DOL’s fiduciary rule, denies motion to stay case
Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn, in a detailed 81-page order released Wednesday, shot down each of the plaintiffs’ major arguments, most notably deciding that the rule does not exceed the U.S. Department of Labor’s authority.
Animal Welfare Institute claims USDA did not respond to petition regarding humane slaughter practices
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – An animal rights group has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture alleging the agency has ignored its petition asking for more humane treatment of livestock.
Calif. district attorneys team to collect thousands from auto insurers
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A California legal reform group is worried that district attorneys have forced settlements with auto insurers over allegations that don't seem to include any harm to consumers.
Fla. AG Bondi files suit alleging companies reduced competition for water treatment chemical
TALLAHASSEE (Legal Newsline) – The Florida Office of the Attorney General is just one of several businesses and agencies going after liquid aluminum sulfate producers General Chemical Corp. and its successor and affiliated companies, GEO Specialty Chemicals Inc. and C&S Chemicals Inc., for allegedly violating federal antitrust laws.
Nestle/Gerber refute allegations despite run of lawsuits over Good Start allergy claims
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – Nestle currently finds itself in some hot water over its Gerber Good Start baby food, as a class action lawsuit has been filed accusing the food company of negligent misrepresentation. Nestle, however, claims it has done nothing wrong and plans to vigorously defend itself against the allegations.
Dorel gathering details after class action filed over Cosco car seats
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of the Cosco brand of car seats for allegedly overstating height and weight limits on its car seats.
Praxis Project sues Coca-Cola over health effects of products
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A health business is suing Coca-Cola, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
Class action targets Electrolux over shipping charge
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California consumer is suing Electrolux, alleging unethical competition.
California consumer accuses CVS of phone harassment
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A California consumer is suing CVS Pharmacy, alleging violation of telephone harassment statutes.
California consumer accuses Lendingtree of phone harassment
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California consumer is suing Lendingtree, alleging violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Consumer board orders Prospect Mortgage to pay $3.5 million for alleged kickback scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) —The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Jan. 31 that Prospect Mortgage LLC will pay a $3.5 million civil penalty for allegedly paying illegal kickbacks for mortgage business referrals.
EPA settles with 3 companies that allegedly violated Kansas RRP Rule
LENEXA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 15 that three companies will pay civil penalties after allegedly violating the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule at the Kansas City Power & Light (KCPL) building in Kansas City, Missouri.
U.S. announces $6.96 million penalty for Las Vegas Sands after alleged FCPA violations
LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 19 that Las Vegas Sands Corp. (Sands), a Nevada-based gaming and resort company, will pay $6.96 million after allegations of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with business transactions in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Macao.
EPA finalizes saftey measures to protect consumers from herbicide paraquat hazards
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 15 the finalization of safety measures created to prevent poisonings caused by ingestion of the herbicide paraquat. Paraquat can cause severe injuries or death from skin or eye exposure.
Tauber Oil Company settles EPA Clean Air Act violations with $700,000 penalty
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Jan. 18 that Tauber Oil Company has agreed to pay $700,000 and stop selling unregistered fuel additive after Clean Air Act violation allegations.
Class action lawsuit claims Swedish Fish packaging uses 63 percent slack-fill
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – An unhappy customer has filed a class action lawsuit against an international snack company over allegations that it shortchanged her with the amount of product in its candy packaging.
Breathometer settles FTC allegations, cannot make claims without evidence
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Breathometer, Inc. and founder and CEO Charles Michael Yim agreed Jan. 23 to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) allegations the company lacked scientific evidence to back up advertising claims.
Man claims Time Warner mislead stockholders about AT&T merger
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — An individual has filed a class-action lawsuit against Time Warner, Inc.; Jeffrey L. Bewkes; James L. Barksdale; William P. Barr; Robert C. Clark; Mathias Dopfner; Jessica P. Einhorn; Carlos M. Gutierrez; Fred Hassan; Paul D. Wachter and Deborah C. Wright, citing alleged violation of federal law.