News from March 2018
Study on consumer lawsuit loans finds high rates, confusing terms
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - The broadest study yet of consumer litigation finance – money forwarded to lawsuit plaintiffs in anticipation of a victory in court or a legal settlement – found a “very complicated and circuitous” system in which some borrowers appear to subsidize others and the median interest rate exceeds 40%.
Washington state accuses Texas firm of operating 'trust mill'
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed suit against CLA Estate Services Inc and CLA USA Inc. alleging they operated a "trust mill" that led to persuading seniors into purchasing high-commission insurance products.
EEOC: IT staffing firm failed to hire employee because 'he was born in 1945'
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced March 8 that Diverse Lynx LLC, an IT staffing firm based in Princeton and Noisa, India, will pay $50,000 after allegations of age discrimination.
Maryland Judiciary alerts public of new bench warrant phone scam
The Maryland Judiciary has issued a warning to the public about a telephone scam targeting individuals in Baltimore County.
N.Y. opioid litigation won't be stayed; Lawyers seeking 1,000 more county-plaintiffs
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A New York judge has refused to stay lawsuits by a number of New York counties against opioid manufacturers and distributors, rejecting arguments that the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t yet determined whether narcotic painkillers are unnecessarily dangerous - a central question in any litigation.
Proposed settlement in Cuisinart class action: $300K for attorneys, replacement blades and warranties for customers
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A class action lawsuit over blades for Cuisinart food processors has reached a settlement, with consumers receiving $15 and plaintiffs attorneys seeking $300,000 in fees.
California organization challenges decision not to list walrus as threatened or endangered
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – An environmental organization based in California is challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision not to list the Pacific walrus as a threatened or endangered species.
G4S Secure Solutions alleged to have failed to pay out paid time off to terminated employees
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) – A former employee of a security personnel company in Ohio alleges he and class members were not awarded their paid time off upon their termination as outlined in the company's manual.
Former Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center vice president alleges she was terminated in retaliation
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A former employee of a domestic not-for-profit pediatric, rehabilitative and palliative care center alleges she was terminated for reporting unlawful practices.
Sprouts Farmers Market alleged to have made omissions in offering documents
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – A retirement and benefit plan for Mississippi state and public employees alleges it was damaged after acquiring stock in a chain of grocery stores.
Man alleges Organic Marketside shell eggs are not laid by hens with outdoor access
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) – A Washington man alleges consumers are paying a premium for shell eggs are that falsely advertised as being laid by hens with outdoor access.
EEOC accuses nursing home of discriminating against employees due to pregnancies
CHARLOTTE, N.C (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit March 7 against Century Care of Laurinburg Inc., which does business as Scottish Pines Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, alleging pregnancy-related discrimination against two employees.
EEOC accuses Compass Group USA of sex discrimination
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit March 1 against Morrison Management Specialists Inc., a division of Compass Group USA Inc., for allegations of denying a female shift supervisor a promotion to sous chef because of her gender.
EEOC: Aviation cleaning service terminated employee because of leukemia
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit March 6 against ABM Aviation Inc., formerly Air Serv Corporation, for allegations of discriminating against an employee due to her disabilities, cardiomyopathy and acute myeloid leukemia.
FTC rules on air ambulance service providers in Hawaii
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 7 that Air Medical Group and AMR Holdco, two providers of ambulance services, will divest inter-facility air ambulance transport services before completing their proposed merger.
Legion of Christ files motion to dismiss sexual abuse suit filed by California man
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – The Legion of Christ Inc., a Roman Catholic religious order, has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a former student of an apostolic school who alleged he was sexually abused.
Newport News federal judge wants Va. SC guidance on take-home asbestos case
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) – A federal court in Virginia has asked for guidance from that state's Supreme Court on how to handle a take-home exposure asbestos lawsuit.
Ice ages, the atmosphere and what Trump thinks: Climate change judge questions it all
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A federal judge has big questions regarding global warming for the private lawyers pushing lawsuits on behalf of California cities and counties – and about how President Donald Trump feels about blaming the energy industry for climate change.
Consumers allege Monat hair care products cause sores, headaches
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – An Iowa couple alleges a line of hair care products failed to disclose harmful side effects.
Investors claim Banro Corp. made false representations regarding operations
WHITE PLAINS. N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – Investors have filed a class-action lawsuit against a Canadian mining company doing business in Africa over allegations that it misled investors.