News from July 2018
Jurors pound Johnson & Johnson with $4.69 billion judgment; Company vows to appeal
ST. LOUIS – Jurors on July 12 handed Johnson & Johnson a body-blow, levying a total $4.14 billion in punitive damages and $550 million in compensatory damages to 22 women who claimed its talcum powder contained asbestos that caused them to develop ovarian cancer.
Consumer claims Canada Dry Ginger Ale is falsely labeled as made from real ginger
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – The makers of Canada Dry Ginger Ale are alleged to falsely label the beverage as made from real ginger.
Amazon, remote manufacturer named in suit after toddler ingests button battery
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) – A Texas mother alleges her toddler was injured after ingesting a button battery from an Apple TV remote.
Citizens Disability alleged to have called consumer without his consent
UTICA, NY (Legal Newsline) – A New York man alleges a Massachusetts company contacted him without his consent.
Florida SNAP retailer seeks review of six-month suspension
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A St. Petersburg, Florida retail store is seeking a review of its suspension as a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailer.
Calif. lawmaker kills bill that punishes lying lawyers after major donor opposes it, group says
A bill that punishes attorneys who mislead prospective clients passed California's Assembly with no opposition, but the state Senate won't even consider it. So, what happened?
Calif. cities file appeal in effort to avoid possible lawsuit from Exxon
Potential defendants argue Texas court lacks jurisdiction.
U.S. alleges Colorado contractor assigned Hispanic workers to more dangerous job sites
DENVER — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court of Colorado against a plumbing and mechanical contractor who allegedly assigned Hispanic workers to more dangerous work environments than non-Hispanic workers.
Vermont prepares for Association Health Plans regulations
MONTPELIER, Vermont — The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) will file emergency regulations as part of the U.S Department of Labor's (DOL) final rule on Association Health Plans (AHPs) in an effort to ensure the regulations will be in place when AHPs are offered in the state.
New York reaches settlement with Brooklyn car dealership for alleged deceptive practices
BROOKLYN — New York state Attorney General Barbara Underwood has reached a settlement agreement with a Brooklyn Honda dealer for more than $423,000 to resolve allegations the dealership targeted non-English speaking customers on which to use deceptive practices.
Missouri resolves 2013 Bridgeton Landfill lawsuit over environmental violations
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri has reached a settlement to resolve a 2013 Bridgeton Landfill lawsuit relating to violations of the state's environmental regulations and a subsurface fire at the landfill.
Illinois reaches $20 million settlement with Royal Bank of Scotland over pension funds investments
CHICAGO — The state of Illinois has reached a $20 million settlement with Royal Bank of Scotland for the bank's alleged failure to fully disclose the risks of its mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) relating to the state's pension fund investments.
Florida alleges student loan debt relief scam
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a court action against several student loan debt relief businesses for an alleged scam that tricked consumers into paying upfront fees for services that never were provided.
U.S. Connecticut allege psychologist fraudulently billed Medicaid
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Connecticut psychologist has agreed to a $126,000 settlement with the federal and Connecticut state governments for allegedly billing Medicaid for services that were not provided.
National group honors Georgia Office of Attorney General
ATLANTA — The Georgia Office of Attorney General has been recognized by The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) with the association's "Best Brief Award."
Iowa Supreme Court reverses ruling in property owners' case against animal feeding production operators
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) – The Iowa Supreme Court has reversed a summary judgment in a case filed by property owners against animal feeding production operators they allege have damaged their property and quality of life.
Good Health snack products alleged to misrepresent nutritional, health qualities
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A New York man alleges a line of snack food products is deceptively labeled and marketed.
Uber alleges Ohio insurance company sent it junk faxes
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – A ride-hailing service company alleges an Ohio-based insurance company sent it junk faxes.
Campbell Soup Co. alleged to use false advertising regarding preservatives
CENTRAL ISLIP, NY (Legal Newsline) – Two consumers allege a brand of canned soup is deceptively marketed as containing no preservatives.
Consumer challenges benefit claims of CVS Pharmacy supplement
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A consumer alleges a dietary supplement sold by a pharmacy chain falsely states it provides beneficial effects for cognition and memory.