News from March 2018
Citing 'barriers' to settlement, judge orders opioid foes to prepare for trial
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - The judge overseeing hundreds of lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors ordered both sides to prepare for trials, citing unspecified “barriers” to a global settlement that became apparent after a conference Tuesday.
Law firm claims Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley is attempting to 'shirk' payment of fees
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A Washington, D.C. law firm is seeking a declaration that two California parties are obligated to pay fees.
Consumer files suit against maker of Snickers, Milky Way over allegations child labor is involved in supply chain
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – A Massachusetts woman alleges a food conglomerate fails to disclose that child labor is involved in the cocoa beans it uses in its products.
Uber customer alleges he was subjected to risk of identity theft because of data breach
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – A Georgia man alleges that he and other consumers were subjected to injury from the risk of identity theft, credit and reputational injury as a result of an Uber data security breach.
Public Interest Legal Foundation files suit against Pennsylvania for records concerning noncitizen voter registrants
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) – A nonpartisan public interest organization based in Indiana alleges Pennsylvania failed to comply with its records request in violation of federal law.
Court partially grants Nordstrom's motion to dismiss in pricing class action
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska has dismissed some claims in a lawsuit filed against Nordstrom Inc., which is facing a class action lawsuit there over alleged fraud and false advertising.
Maryland Judiciary updates database to include police officer names
As of March 8, 2018, the Maryland Judiciary's Information Systems Division has updated its online court records database to include the names of police officers.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas alleged to have improperly applied tax on resort fee
LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) – Guests of a Las Vegas hotel allege a tax was improperly charged as part of a fee for their rooms.
MLB.com made false representations regarding MLB Prime subscriptions, consumer claims
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California consumer alleges that MLB.com falsely advertises a full year of MLB.com for a price it "has no intention to provide."
Town Sports International members allege Passport membership did not provide access to all gyms
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Members of a gym who purchased a special membership allege they do not have "all access" to locations as advertised.
Plaintiff lawyers see nationwide settlement as only end for opioid lawsuits
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Plaintiff lawyers meeting in San Francisco last week for a conference on opioid litigation acknowledged that the hundreds of lawsuits they have filed in state and federal court will be difficult to resolve without an unprecedented national settlement whose mechanics are still difficult to predict.
Massachusetts secures $95,000 settlement with staffing agency that allegedly failed to pay workers
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Feb. 23 that Southern Mass Staffing Inc. (SMS) and owner Mesa Som will pay $95,000 after allegedly failing to pay minimum wage, overtime and earned sick time pay to hundreds of workers.
Care.com to pay $480,000 after allegedly misleading families about background checks
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Feb. 27 that Care.com will pay more than $480,000 after allegations of misleading families in the state about the in-depth qualities of its background check products.
Virginia secures $250,000 from lenders, debt collectors for alleged unlawful credit plan loans
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) — Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced Feb 23 that eight affiliated online lenders and debt collectors will pay a total of more than $250,000 after allegations of offering unlawful open-ended credit plan loans.
Tensor Law adds defendants in lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein over alleged spying on Paz de la Huerta
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A Santa Monica law firm suing disgraced and embattled movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and a former New York assistant district attorney over claims the two convinced an actress to drop her sexual misconduct complaint now has filed an amended complaint in federal court.
Consumer claims fish oil sold at Costco does not contain the amount of fatty acids advertised
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A consumer claims Kirkland Wild Alaskan Fish Oil does not contain the amount of Omega fatty acids as advertised.
Becnel Law Firm alleges firm in Puerto Rico failed to disburse funds as agreed
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (Legal Newsline) – A Louisiana law firm alleges a law firm in Puerto Rico failed to pay attorney's fees relating to litigation in the country.
Minnesota woman alleges loan she took out to purchase dog had 120 percent interest rate
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – A Carlton County, Minnesota consumer alleges two companies failed to disclose the interest rate on a loan.
Gusto Records claims online radio station Pandora used recordings without consent
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A Tennessee sound recording company alleges an online radio station took its property and commercially exploited it without permission or compensation.
Massachusetts attorney general's office provides guidance on updated Equal Pay Act
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced March 1 that the updated Massachusetts Equal Pay Act will go into effect this summer, and that her office has issued new guidance to help employers navigate the new rules.