News from March 2018
Ohio consumer files class action against Revenue Group over convenience fee
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) – An Ohio woman alleges a debt collector attempted to collect a fee not authorized by an agreement.
Man alleges Mississippi law firms used tactics to pressure him to sign retainer agreement
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) – A Tennessee father alleges two Mississippi law firms have pressured him to represent him in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Monsanto wants Oregon's $100M PCB lawsuit dismissed, says it is 'fundamentally flawed'
PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) – A federal court in Oregon is considering a request by Monsanto to dismiss the State's $100 million PCB lawsuit, saying the State and the private lawyers representing it have failed to make their case.
Arizona water district seeks to enjoin Army Corps water release from Alamo Dam
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – An Arizona municipal corporation is seeking to enjoin a United States Army Corps of Engineers water release over allegations it would harm its customers.
Passengers allege Volaris Airlines flight delay caused them to miss travel plans
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – Four airline passengers allege that they suffered a loss of vacation time because their flight from Chicago to Mexico was delayed three hours.
ACE Industrial Supply alleged to have continued calls to consumer after consent was revoked
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A resident and limited liability company in Warrenville, Illinois allege that their privacy has been invaded by telemarketing calls from an industrial tool company.
Consumer alleges alcohol content in Health-Ade Kombucha drinks is misleadingly advertised
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A consumer alleges that a beverage she purchased from Whole Foods does not warn that the drink contains alcohol.
Federal judge rules 1,200 Xarelto lawsuits will be removed from MDL for disposition in separate trials
NEW ORLEANS – A federal judge has ruled that 1,200 product liability lawsuits filed against the manufacturers of anti-coagulant drug Xarelto will soon be removed from their multi-district litigation (MDL) status, for resolution in separate jury trials.
Manufacturers group continues transparency initiative with records request to Richmond, the latest climate change plaintiff
RICHMOND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – In an effort to defend energy manufacturers against climate liability lawsuits, the Manufacturers Accountability Project has filed a California Public Records Act with many of the cities and counties regarding their contact with private attorneys working on contingency fees.
Woman suffers aneurism at Calif. hotel; Company faces lawsuit over not finding her
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – The Court of Appeal of the State of California, 4th Appellate District Division Three reversed an Orange County summary judgment in favor of maintenance staffing company whose employee allegedly was negligent in checking on the welfare of a hotel guest who later was found to have suffered an aneurism, according to an opinion entered on Jan. 31.
Arizona Supreme Court 'troubled' by use of Restatement of Restitution in negligence case
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – On Feb. 8, the Supreme Court of Arizona answered certified questions from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to clarify questions in a dispute among a car rental company, an insurance company and individuals injured in an accident.
PharMerica shareholders allege misleading statement regarding merger caused damages
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Legal Newsline) – Shareholders of an institutional pharmacy company allege they were prevented from casting an informed vote on a merger because of misleading information provided in a statement.
Ohio targets Monsanto for damages related to years of PCB manufacturing
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced March 5 that his office is suing Monsanto over allegations of producing and selling toxic chemical compounds known as PCBs despite knowing the products were hazardous.
Ultra Electronic Holdings, Sparton Corp. abandon merger plans
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced March 5 that Ultra Electronic Holdings plc and Sparton Corporation have decided against the merger they had previously proposed, which was valued at $234 million.
Justice Department: Meat processing company violated INA's anti-discrimination clause
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced March 5 that West Liberty Foods LLC, a meat processing company with headquarters in Iowa and a plant in Bolingbrook, Illinois, has agreed to settle allegations of discriminating against work-authorized immigrants in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Pennsylvania hospital, regional cardiology practice to pay $20 million after alleged kickback scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced March 7 that UPMC Hamot (Hamot), an Erie, Pennsylvania, hospital that is affiliated with the with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), and Medicor Associates Inc. (Medicor), a regional physician cardiology practice, will pay $20.75 million after allegations of kickbacks and improper financial relationships.
Woman alleges child, slave labor is involved in production of Hershey chocolate products
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – A Massachusetts consumer claims that she would not have purchased Hershey chocolate products or paid as much for them if Hershey had disclosed alleged child and slave labor in the production of its chocolate.
Court sessions offer UB law students real-world learning opportunity
The Court of Special Appeals of Maryland held its annual session at the University of Baltimore's John and Frances Angelos Law Center on March 5.
Forster & Garbus, Midland Funding alleged to have misrepresented status of debt in letter
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A New York man alleges a collection letter he received failed to disclose that the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit to collect the alleged debt had expired.
The McMillan Law Firm allegedly sent inflated bill to client
An individual has filed suit against a law firm for alleged breach of contract, fraud and negligence, citing duplicate entries and other errors on the billing statement.