News from September 2017
EEOC accuses North Carolina Golden Corral operator of disability, sex discrimination
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 8 against Jax LLC, which operates a Golden Corral restaurant in Matthews, North Carolina, for allegations of discriminating against an employee with a disability and subjecting him to a hostile work environment based on his disability and his sex.
EEOC secures $125,000 settlement with Minn. construction company for alleged racial harassment
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Sept. 7 that JL Schwieters Construction Inc. will pay $125,000 after allegations of racial harassment.
PwC lawsuit tests whether auditors must guarantee against fraud
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Auditors are paid to make sure a company’s books are accurate. Fraud artists specialize in misleading auditors. So should an auditor pay for the damages caused by a fraud artist?
Former sales rep for software maker claims company ‘stonewalling’ case over commission practices
The plaintiff, who in February filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Oracle America Inc., alleges the technology giant now is obstructing the arbitration process.
Missouri SC upholds damages award of nearly $40 million in Depakote lawsuit
Defendant Abbott Laboratories Inc. appealed the City of St. Louis Circuit Court’s judgment awarding plaintiff Maddison Schmidt $15 million in compensatory damages and $23 million in punitive damages for her personal injury claim. Schmidt was born with spina bifida and other birth defects.
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc., Sexy Hair Concepts files second motion to dismiss shampoo suit
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. and Sexy Hair Concepts have filed a second motion to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that the companies made false claims about the contents in Healthy Sexy Sulfate-Free Soy Moisturizing shampoo.
Brooks Bros. seeks dismissal of suit over security breach, alleges plaintiff has no 'viable claim'
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – On Aug. 30, Brooks Bros. filed a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed in June that alleged the New York-based clothing retailer had compromised private customer information, including credit cards, during a security breach.
Santa Barbara Airlines alleges fee was disclosed, seeks dismissal of suit
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – A Venezuelan airline company is fighting a case filed by three Florida customers over allegations of breach of contract.
Maryland federal court: Joseph Saveri Law Firm doesn't have to pay $1.2M antitrust litigation referral fee
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – Joseph Saveri and his Joseph Saveri Law Firm Inc. will not be required to pay a 12.5 percent, $1.2 million referral fee to Michael E. Criden PA in connection with the firms’ work on titanium dioxide antitrust litigation, according to an opinion entered Sept. 7 by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
Lawyers return with lawsuit blaming Okla. earthquakes on fracking industry
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - A lawsuit that blames the fracking industry for increased earthquake activity in Oklahoma is back.
Biotech, pharma trade groups argue Nevada law targeting diabetes medicines ‘unconstitutional’
The plaintiffs, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, and Biotechnology Innovation Organization, or BIO, filed their lawsuit against Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and the head of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada Sept. 1. They allege Senate Bill 539, signed into law by Sandoval in June, will violate patent rights and negate trade secret protection for designated diabetes medicines.
Boy Scouts can't escape sexual abuse lawsuit; Attorney hopes clients receive apology and 'a big check'
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A recent court decision paves the way for three individuals who alleged they had been sexually abused by a former Boy Scout leader to get their day in court.
Letters urging fight against CFPB's arbitration rule could persuade senators
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Letters sent to various Congress members regarding a proposed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule, which has been called a gift to plaintiffs lawyers, may hold some sway, according to one conservative think tank.
Sargento seeks dismissal of suit over 'natural' label
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Sargento Foods Inc. filed a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit on Sept. 1 that claims it mislabeled products as "natural."
Benecol adheres to federal regulations, J&J says as it fights class action
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – The makers of Benecol food products have filed motion to dismiss a class action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
LensCrafters Accufit measuring system the subject of new lawsuit
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A consumer claims LensCrafters' Accufit measuring system "does not deliver what it promises."
Juice Organics products do not repair hair, lawsuit claims
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – The makers of a hair care line are alleged to have falsely represented that the products can repair damaged hair.
Nonprofit claims environmental study wasn't done for D.C.-area Purple Line Project
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A nonprofit organization is seeking to halt the construction of a rail transit project until an environmental study has been completed.
Bug Runner Exterminating Co. alleged to have failed to pay overtime wages
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Three former employees of a Spring Valley, New York, company allege they are owed unpaid overtime wages.
Lawsuit: FGF Brands' naan is not baked in tandoor oven as advertised
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A consumer claims she was "duped" into buying a particular brand of naan bread because of its false representations that it was baked in a tandoor oven.