News from January 2019
Arizona Supreme Court says law of state where Workers' Comp was paid determines assignment rights
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – Because a woman was awarded Workers’ Compensation benefits in a different state that doesn’t have automatic assignment provision, on Jan. 2, the Supreme Court for the State of Arizona reversed the decisions of two lower courts.
Jeep owner alleges she paid for WS Aftermarket Services contract and later learned vehicle was not eligible
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A Middlesex County, New Jersey woman alleges she paid more than $2,000 for a vehicle service plan for a vehicle and later learned her vehicle was not eligible for coverage.
Schwan's Home Service allegedly sent unwanted texts to consumers
PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) – An Oregon resident alleges a grocery delivery company sent texts without her consent during all hours of the day.
Consumer alleges Tarte's 'high-performance naturals' claims are false, products have synthetic ingredients
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A New York consumer has filed a class-action lawsuit against a cosmetics company alleging its products contain a number of synthetic ingredients despite marketing that they are natural.
California man files suit against Flywheel Sports over texts allegedly sent without consent
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A San Francisco County resident alleges an indoor cycling workout business sent him text messages without his permission.
D.C. court sides with Facebook, reverses order holding it in contempt over subpoena in murder case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has sided with Facebook over a question of whether it needed to release information in response to a court subpoena in a murder case.
Washington court orders new trial in dispute over customer list allegedly used by car salesman
SEATTLE, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – The Court of Appeals for the state of Washington has overturned a lower court decision in a case over allegations of misuse of trade secrets, stating that the trial court erred and that a new trial is needed.
Former Senate majority leader Reid hits out, but remembered for unwavering support of trial lawyers
During his time in the U.S. Senate, Harry Reid was a major ally for the nation's plaintiffs lawyers
Trader Joe’s Honey Nut O’s cereal not primarily sweetened with honey, buyer alleges
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – A Massachusetts consumer alleges a type of cereal sold by Trader Joe's is misleadingly represented as being primarily sweetened with honey when sugar is the primary sweetener.
Consumer alleges headboard purchased from Wayfair was infested with bedbugs
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – An Illinois consumer alleges a headboard he purchased from an online home goods company was infested with bedbugs.
Pulte reaches multimillion dollar settlement with Florida over alleged building code violations
TALLAHASSEE — PulteGroup Inc. and its subsidiary, Pulte Home Company LLC, have reached a multimillion dollar settlement with the state of Florida to resolve allegations the home builder denied warranty coverages and failed to disclose that some of its homes under construction did not meet building codes.
Career Education settlement with 48 states includes more than $400 million in student debt relief
PHOENIX — A company that operated for-profit schools across the United States has reached a settlement with 48 states and the District of Columbia that will provide more than $400 million in student debt relief for students who were allegedly deceived by the company's false claims.
15-state coalition argues against payday lenders using tribal affiliations to avoid violations
BALTIMORE — Maryland's Attorney General Brian Frosh is the latest to join a coalition of 15 attorneys general that filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to argue against payday lenders using fake affiliations with Native American tribes as a way to escape state law violations when practicing predatory lending.
Georgia alleges more than 20 opioid manufacturers, distributors played role in crisis
ATLANTA — The state of Georgia has filed a civil lawsuit against more than 20 opioid manufacturers and distributors for allegedly using false and deceptive tactics in a effort to increase their profits from opioid drug sales, which has contributed to the state's opioid crisis.
Justice Department recovered more than $2.8 billion in False Claim Act settlements for fiscal year
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced it had recovered more than $2.8 billion in False Claim Act settlements and judgments in fiscal year 2018, which includes $2.5 billion involving the health care industry.
Spokane Democratic Central Committee reaches settlement over campaign finance law violations
OLYMPIA — The state of Washington has reached a settlement with the Spokane County Democratic Central Committee's (SCDCC) former chairman and executive director and its former treasurer over state campaign finance law violations, according to the Washington State Attorney General's Office.
Rhode Island joins states reaching $575 million nationwide settlement with Wells Fargo
PROVIDENCE — The state of Rhode Island is part of a $575 million nationwide settlement https://www.ri.gov/press/view/34934 over the alleged fraudulent opening of millions of accounts and other illegal practices by Wells Fargo, according to the state's Attorney General's Office.
Connecticut auto lender to pay more than $700,000 for alleged deceptive sales practices
BOSTON — A Connecticut auto lender will pay more than $700,000 to settle charges by the state of Massachusetts over alleged deceptive sales practices including the financing of faulty cars.
Supreme Court of Ohio reverses $800,000 judgment in defamation case, rules caps on damages apply
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – On Dec. 7, the Supreme Court of Ohio reversed an $800,000 judgment in compensatory damages in a defamation case.
New Jersey Supreme Court reverses dismissal of discrimination suit filed by owner of group home
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – In a case where a group of people allegedly attempted to interfere with the purchase of a group home for autistic individuals, the Superior Court of New Jersey reversed an order that dismissed the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) case on Dec. 10.