News from April 2020
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION: EEOC Issues Updated Covid-19 Technical Assistance Publication
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted an updated and expanded technical assistance publication addressing questions arising under the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
PEPPER HAMILTON LLP: Pepper Hamilton Lawyers Named to Washington, D.c. Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Three lawyers from Pepper Hamilton have been named by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers magazine as top attorneys in the District.
PEPPER HAMILTON LLP: Risk Management in a Pandemic: What to Do Now
COVID-19 has affected commerce, travel and all transatlantic Transactions for weeks.
United Airlines faces class action for allegedly refusing refunds due to COVID-19 travel restrictions
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — A Minnesota police officer has filed a class action against United Airlines claiming the airline is refusing to refund him for a flight that was canceled due to COVID-19 outbreak travel restrictions.
Miami retirement trust claims SEC violations against Kansas City business
KANAS CITY, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — A Kansas-based distilled spirits and food ingredient supplier is facing a securities class action by the firefighters and police officers' retirement trust in Miami over its stock value decline.
Illinois law firm faces class action alleging it used scheme to exploit clients, bankruptcy laws
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — A couple have filed a class action lawsuit against an Illinois-based law firm alleging it used a "fast fee scheme" to abuse federal bankruptcy courts and exploit its financially distressed clients.
Lawsuit questions whether Nesquik contains 'no artificial flavors'
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Nestlé USA is facing a class action alleging its Nesquik products have been artificially or synthetically processed despite the "no artificial flavors or colors" labeling on its packaging.
In criticizing opioid judge, Sixth Circuit gives defendants hope for MDL reform
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - Facing a string of damaging rulings by the judge overseeing sprawling litigation against them, some of the nation’s leading retail pharmacy chains resorted to the equivalent of a Hail Mary pass
Maryland Judiciary plans systems outage for technology upgrades
The Maryland Judiciary has announced a scheduled technology systems upgrade and maintenance on Saturday, April 18.
Coronavirus roundup: States pass lawsuit-protection measures as Pennsylvania resists
ATLANTA – As the nation continues to persevere through the coronavirus pandemic, more states are continuing to pass legal immunity protections for health care providers and in the ones which have yet do to so, a groundswell of support for such action is building.
Consumer Reports faces class action alleging it violated California law with automatic renewal subscriptions
SAN DIEGO — Consumer Reports is facing a class action alleging they violated California law by enrolling consumers in automatic renewal and continuous subscriptions. Nino Koller and Michelle Brown, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint April 6 in the U.S.
Consumers allege makers of diabetes drug Metformin concealed that drug contains carcinogen
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — The manufacturers of Metformin, the fourth-most prescribed medicine in the U.S. used to treat diabetes, are facing a class action lawsuit alleging they falsely touted the drug as safe when it contained a carcinogen.
Class action says Nestle Purina's pet food contains controversial chemical
ST. LOUIS — Nestle Purina Petcare Co. is facing a class-action suit alleging its animal food products contain the carcinogen glyphosate.
Sixth Circuit hands pharmacies big win on late-filed opioid claims; Judge had allowed them 18 months after deadline
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has rebuked the judge overseeing thousands of opioid lawsuits against retail pharmacy chains, saying he overstepped his authority by allowing plaintiffs to amend their claims to include allegations they improperly filled prescriptions for narcotics.
King County not at fault in man's death after hantavirus contraction
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - The Washington Supreme Court agreed with King County that it didn’t have a duty to protect a man who died just days after getting hantavirus close to his home in reversing a ruling against the county on April 2.
Jackson Lewis seeks payment from former client
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - An entertainment company’s alleged failure pay its law firm led to the filing of a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Law firm accused of altering investors' rights agreement
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Faber Daeufer & Irato was sued for breach of fiduciary duty in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on April 2.
Political groups call for change in new provision amid social distancing, claim that it's unconstitutional
Arizonans for Fair Elections and Arizonans Fed Up with Failing Healthcare questioned whether a clause implemented amid COVID-19, concerning methods for gathering signatures for certain petitions, is constitutional.
Maryland extends court closures and issues guidance on incarcerated individuals
On April 14, 2020, Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera issued two new administrative orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fla. appeals court rules for defendants in wrongful death case against nursing home, others
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Sun Coast Nursing Centers and other parties won their appeal as Florida’s 4th District Court of Appeals overturned lower court rulings in a wrongful death lawsuit.