News from March 2018
Trial testimony questions appropriateness of pelvic mesh in N.J. case against C.R. Bard
HACKENSACK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Jury trial resumed on March 26 in a woman’s lawsuit seeking damages against a medical manufacturer whose pelvic implant device used for bladder support allegedly instead led to chronic inflammation and pain and had to be surgically removed.
California court rules mortgage companies can be considered debt collectors under Rosenthal Act
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – On March 13, California’s 4th Appellate Court, Division One issued a ruling that reversed the San Diego County Superior Court's decision that favored a mortgage servicer, finding that mortgage companies can be considered debt collectors under the state's Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Calif. appeals court orders arbitration in case involving hospital
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The Court of Appeal of the State of California 2nd Appellate District has overturned the trial court’s ruling that favored the plaintiff in a lawsuit against White Memorial Medical District Center, et al.
Business leaders welcome passage of Wisconsin civil litigation bill
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) – Small business leaders are welcoming the passage of a bill in Wisconsin that changes certain civil litigation rules likely to benefit contractors.
Buffalo Wild Wings still fighting vegetarian's lawsuit over cheese sticks fried in beef fat
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A vegetarian who was surprised Buffalo Wild Wings cooked her french fries and mozzarella sticks in oil containing a meat product is not giving up on her lawsuit against the popular restaurant chain.
Bill Me Later alleged to have failed to obtain consent before soliciting consumer
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A Murrieta, California consumer alleges a credit service company unlawfully called her to solicit its services.
Consumer alleges he paid inflated prices for tickets from Vivid Seats
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A ticket seller is alleged to have falsely advertised the nature, quality and price of its tickets.
Customer alleges Bump Boxes renewed subscription without consent
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A woman alleges a subscription box service charged her credit card without first obtaining her consent to agree to renew the service.
Consumer claims Fashion Footware sent him unsolicited text messages
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A consumer claims he has received more than 140 text messages from a Burbank, Illinois company.
FTC proposes to repeal 52-year-old Picture Tube Rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 13 that it is proposing to repeal its Picture Tube Rule.
EPA fines Terminix $168,000 for alleged misuse of pesticides in Hawaii
HONOLULU, Hawaii (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced March 19 that it has fined Terminix International Co. $168,535 because of allegations the company misused three different restricted-use fumigant pesticides, at four separate locations on the Hawaiian island Kauai.
New York to open case examining death of student in Rochester district
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and New York State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia announced March 19 that they will open a case regarding the death of Trevyan Rowe, a student in the Rochester City School District.
New York accuses fake grant writer of allegedly stealing $200,000 from Buffalo churches, nonprofits
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a lawsuit May 15 against fake grant writer Christina Sanford Gordon who allegedly stole more than $200,000 from Buffalo churches and nonprofits.
Rhode Island attorney general backs Minnesota in anti-discrimination case
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced March 14 that he has has joined a coalition of attorneys general in an amicus brief that supports an anti-discrimination law in Minnesota.
California joins coalition urging Congress to vote against PROSPER Act
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced March 19 that he has joined a coalition of 30 attorneys general in urging the U.S. Congress to opposed a bill that would exempt student loan originators, servicers or debt collectors from state-level oversight and enforcement.
Report details New York Health Care Bureau hotline's success in helping consumers
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced March 19 that his office has released a report about its Health Care Bureau’s hotline, a free service that resolves consumer complaints related to health care.
U.S. to reconsider Obama era rules about land restriction for endangered species
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced March 16 that the federal government will reconsider Obama administration rules that allegedly restrict what property owners can do with the land they own.
Walgreens pays $55 million to resolve overcharging allegations in Massachusetts
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced March 20 that Walgreens Co. will pay $55 million after allegations it overcharged consumers covered by the state worker’s compensation insurance system for prescription drugs.
EEOC: Dollar Tree store discriminated against employee due to pregnancy
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit March 20 against a Dollar Tree retail store in Martinez, Georgia, for allegedly discriminating against an employee because of her pregnancy.
Pennsylvania second in the country for mesothelioma filings, up 32% from 2016
WASHINGTON – According to a report compiled by a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm that covers mass tort and product liability litigation, Pennsylvania ranks a stark second nationwide in asbestos lawsuits filed by plaintiffs allegedly suffering from mesothelioma.