News from February 2018
State AGs united for #MeToo, but changing federal law could be slippery slope
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – State attorneys general are united in championing a new cause – abolishing clauses that require sexual harassment claims to be heard in arbitration. But would it set a bad precedent for changing federal law while scoring political points for its supporters?
Republican AGs who railed against CFPB anti-arbitration rule, now on board with banning arbitration #MeToo
WASHINGTON - A group of Republican attorneys general who railed against an effort to outlaw arbitration clauses so that consumers could bring class actions against financial services companies now appear to be on board with legislation that would eliminate arbitration from workplace sexual harassment claims.
FTC seeks consumer protection in legislation to limit telehealth eye care
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 12 that it has submitted staff comments to the Washington state Legislature about proposed legislation that would put limitations on the telehealth eye care industry in the state.
Wis. Assembly passes legal reform bill
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) – Legal reform in Wisconsin is now in the hands of its state senators, following passage of an amended version of the bill on Feb. 22.
Leahy's CREATES Act left out of budget; Would have thrilled trial lawyers but hurt patients, economist says
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Despite support from a few Republicans, a measure championed by Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., targeting health care costs did not make its way into the budget passed by Congress earlier this month.
Individuals allege Gold's Gym sent them text messages without consent
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – Two consumers allege that a gym sent them text messages after they indicated on a form that did not wish to receive the messages.
Individuals claim Dorsey School of Business Inc. program was not properly accredited
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) – Several individuals allege a Michigan school fraudulently induced them to sign forms and agreements to enroll in its electrical technician program.
Defect in certain models of Kenmore dryers damages clothes, consumers allege
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – Two consumers allege their Kenmore dryers have a defect that causes damage to clothes.
An 'onslaught' of lawsuits from the blind is happening; Blame both Obama's and Trump's DOJ
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Department of Justice has yet to release long-promised clarifications on the Americans with Disabilities Act that would help judges handle lawsuits that claim businesses’ websites are not handicap-accessible - and the blame isn't on just one of the country's last two, very different presidents.
Consumer claims child, slave labor involved in production of Nestle chocolate products
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – A Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts woman alleges a food conglomerate does not disclose on its packaging for chocolate products that child and/or slave labor is purportedly involved in the supply chain.
University Legal Services Inc. seeks injunction regarding records requests
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A nonprofit organization alleges its mandate to protect people with disabilities in the nation's capital is being interfered with because of a failure to comply with records requests.
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. processors are defective, consumers claim
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Two consumers allege that core processors they purchased are defective.
ADT Corp. alleged to have placed telemarketing calls to Florida man
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – A Florida man alleges a security company unlawfully called him for marketing purposes.
Physician alleges he was terminated in retaliation from DC hospital over complaints
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A Maryland physician alleges he was retaliated against and lost his job after he filed whistle-blower complaints.
Oasis Energy alleged to be calling consumers for marketing purposes without consent
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A Cook County, Illinois man alleges an energy company unlawfully called him to promote and offer the sale of electricity.
Federal court keeps alive much of class action over '8' on bottles of Old Charter Bourbon
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) – A federal court has granted parts of a motion to dismiss a lawsuit that claims Old Charter Bourbon is reaping the benefits of a false and misleading label.
HSBC will again have to defend self in case over recorded calls
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A California appeals court last month reversed a decision issued earlier in a San Diego County court, effectively reinstituting a consumer’s complaint against a financial services company for allegedly illegal phone call recording.
To plaintiffs' dismay, SCOTUS likely won't review 'case-killer' TCPA decision
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – It appears unlikely that the U.S. Supreme Court will review a judgment that says the Federal Communications Commission does not have the authorization to require businesses to include an “opt-out” notice on solicited fax advertisements.
Judiciary Committee approves amended legal reform bill in Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin lawmakers could vote Thursday on changes to the state's rules regarding civil litigation.
Kansas urges Supreme Court to support states' ban on electioneering near polling places
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Feb. 14 that he has joined a coalition of 11 state attorneys general in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to find that states may lawfully ban electioneering near polls.