News from July 2017
Ariz. Supreme Court affirms judge's right to reduce jury verdict
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that the constitutional right of jurors to determine a monetary award doesn’t preclude a judge from ruling their decisions as excessive.
Expert couldn't show lead paint causes ADHD; Verdict of $1.3M overturned
BALTIMORE, Md. (Legal Newsline) – The Maryland Court of Appeals concluded that a expert cited in a lead exposure case did not provide support for her conclusion that exposure could cause a clinical diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Class action filed over Henkel rebate checks
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — A New Jersey consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against a variety of companies, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
U-Haul named in class action
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — A New York customer has filed a class action lawsuit against U-Haul, alleging breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation and unfair competition.
Liquor license holder files class action against distributors
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A California consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against a liquor distributor, alleging fraud.
FTC issues second Federal Register notice about class action settlement notice programs study
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission announced July 12 that it is issuing a second Federal Register notice to continue its study of the effectiveness of class action settlement notice programs.
Alaska high court reverses ruling of attorneys fees in Alaska Miners Association case
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – The Alaska Supreme Court has reversed a lower court's granting of full attorneys fees as petitioned by the Alaska Miners Association.
Court ruling affirmed that Hesperia Cinema is required to follow rules for public works projects
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – California's 1st Appellate Court District, Division Two ruled June 30 that a movie theater built with city assistance is considered a public works project and required to follow municipal pay requirements associated with such projects.
Supreme Court of Texas reverses ruling finding Exxon Mobile responsible for man's death
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) – The Supreme Court of Texas ruled on June 23 that Exxon Mobil was not at fault for the death of a man who was assaulted by a convenient store's employee.
Texas Supreme Court grants take-nothing judgment in case of pipefitter injured in scaffolding fall
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) – A scaffolding company has won a take-nothing judgment in a lawsuit over the fall of a pipefitter from scaffolding.
Idaho SC affirms decision in helicopter pilot's wrongful death appeal; Discarded clipboard had caused crash
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) – The Idaho Supreme Court has affirmed a district court order granting summary judgment to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the state of Idaho in a family’s wrongful death lawsuit in the 2010 death of their son in a helicopter accident.
Calif. appeals court doesn't expand liability in take-home asbestos lawsuits
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California appeals court has declined to expand asbestos liability in take-home exposure lawsuit.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sues oil and gas developer over allegations of age discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on June 15 that it had filed a lawsuit against Atlas Resource Partners over allegations of pushing out a 52-year old production worker due to his age.
City Colleges of Chicago to pay $60,000 to settle case of alleged age discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on June 14 that City Colleges of Chicago will pay $60,000 over allegations of age discrimination.
New Jersey AG announces $2 million settlement with brewing company over alleged trade practice violations
New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced on June 12 that Hunterdon Brewing Company LLC will pay $2 million over allegations of trade practice violations.
DOJ secures $1.1 million settlement with Egypt-based contractor that allegedly submitted false claims to USAID
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on June 13 that Misr Sons Development (Hassan Allam Sons, “HAS”), a construction company based in Cairo, will pay $1.1 million over allegations of submitting false claims in connection with U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) contracts.
Federal court permanently bars defendants involved in alleged adulterated drug sales scheme
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on June 15 that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Stratus Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Miami; Sonar Products Inc. of Carlstadt, N.J.; and individuals Alberto Hoyo and Juan Carlos Billoch.
Customer accuses Chipotle of failing to prevent data breach
A customer has filed a class action lawsuit against Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., citing alleged breach of contract, breach of duty and negligence.
Unnamed plaintiffs say they were victims of human trafficking, suing Backpage.com
Unknown individuals are suing Backpage.com LLC, Carl Ferrer, Michael Lacey and James Larkin for allegedly facilitating their sexual exploitation.
DeckCover not durable, lawsuit against Home Depot, Behr says
A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Behr Process Corp., Behr Paint Corp., Masco Corp., The Home Depot Inc. and Home Depot U.S.A. Inc., citing alleged negligent misrepresentation.