News from April 2018
Missouri Supreme Court says wrongful death suit against doctors filed after statute of limitations
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) – Doctors entangled in a wrongful death suit were granted their request for the Missouri Supreme Court to grant a writ of prohibition that would prevent a circuit court from taking any action besides dismissing the suit against them “as barred by the statute of limitations.”
Maryland's highest court upholds cap on damages to family of murdered inmate
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) – A Maryland court has upheld rulings that the damages awarded to the family of a man who was killed on a prison transport bus should be capped.
Lawyers to get 75 percent of $9.8 million whistleblower suit against K-Mart; Tillery's take - $5.7 million
EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel awarded three fourths of a $9.8 million settlement to lawyers who sued failing retailer K-Mart.
Oil and gas company challenges West Virginia's Flat-Rate Statute
CLARKSBURG, W. Va. (Legal Newsline) – A company leasing mineral rights to drill for oil and gas claims West Virginia's Flat-Rate Statute is unconstitutional.
Recent grants help nonprofits doing 'most of the work' on Boulder's climate change lawsuit
BOULDER, Colo. (Legal Newsline) – Pro bono work that the Niskanen Center is performing in a global warming lawsuit on behalf of the Colorado city of Boulder will be aided by a $200,000 grant awarded less than two months before the case was filed.
FTC finalizes deceptive marketing settlement with Bollman Hat Company
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced April 17 that, following a public comment period, it has finalized a consent order that settles charges against Bollman Hat Company, a Pennsylvania business that allegedly used deceptive “American Made Matters” certifications and marketing materials.
U.S.: Banner Health violated False Claims Act, to pay $18 million in penalties
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 12 that Banner Health will pay more than $18 million after allegations that 12 of its hospitals in Arizona and Colorado admitted patients who could have used outpatient facilities instead—a violation of the False Claims Act.
Justice Department secures $9.68 million from medical equipment supplier
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 12 that Rotech Healthcare Inc., a supplier of respiratory equipment with headquarters in Florida, will pay $9.68 million after allegations it knowingly submitted false claims for portable oxygen containers to Medicare.
California alleges federal PAID program undermines states' labor agencies
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newline) —California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced April 11 that he has joined a coalition of 10 other attorneys general in urging the U.S. Labor Department to condemn the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) pilot program.
California opposes EPA move to dismantle 'Once In, Always In' policy
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newswire) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced April 10 that he has joined with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over allegations the agency illegally repealed the “Once In, Always In” policy that mandates companies contributing to hazardous air pollutants must take action to reduce their emissions.
Massachusetts secures $748,000 in loan discharges for We Florida purchasers
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced April 12 that We Florida Financial (We Florida), a credit union based in Florida, will pay $898,000 to resolve allegations it delivered loans for ineffective online study materials to more than 200 Massachusetts consumers.
New Jersey attorney general secures $750,000 in alleged nationwide Ponzi scheme
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced April 16 that Jeffrey Mitchell Isaacs, JB Financial Resources, and related entities will pay $750,000 after allegations of a nationwide Ponzi scheme that specifically involved $7 million in investments for New Jersey participants.
Nevada provides non-taxpayer settlement funds to veterans home expansion
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) — Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced April 11 that he applauds the unanimous,bipartisan decision by the state’s interim finance committee to approve using non-taxpayer settlement funds to assist in the expansion of Reno Veterans Guest House, which provides temporary lodging to Nevada veterans and their families.
Washington state judge upholds injunction against Trump's transger military ban
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced April 16 that, together with Lambda Legal and OutServe-SDLN, his office has won a court victory against the Trump administration after it instituted an allegedly illegal ban against transgender individuals who openly serve in the military.
Justice Department reaches discrimination settlement with Washington state property
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 13 that it has reached a disability discrimination settlement with the owners, builder, and designer of the Ashlynn Estates, a three-building dormitory-style property near Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington.
Champion Petfoods alleged to sell dog food with excessive levels of heavy metals
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) – An Ohio consumer claims that two brands of dog food contain excessive levels of heavy metals
Consumer claims Wish.com texts 'aggravated' her
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A Montgomery, Alabama consumer alleges a San Francisco e-commerce website operator sent her text messages without her consent.
As Boulder sues, 15 states - including Colorado - oppose global warming lawsuits
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Two days after local officials in the Boulder, Colo., area filed a lawsuit that attempts to hold large energy companies liable for the alleged effects of global warming, the state’s top lawyer showed that she disagrees with their legal argument by voicing her opposition to similar lawsuits in California.
Self-driving cars, thinking machines will test limits of tort law
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - Self-driving cars, machines that teach themselves how to operate and home digital assistants that can enter into legally binding contracts are all either on the market now or soon will be. So the next question is: Whom do you sue when they run amok?
Sig Sauer alleged to have designed pistol without disconnector safety feature
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) – Two consumers claim they would not have purchased a particular model of pistol or paid less for it had the alleged defective nature of the firearm been disclosed to them.