News from January 2020
Health care advocate: 'It is pretty clear' FDA, DEA failed to adequately protect public from opioid crisis
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The federal Food and Drug Administration and other U.S. drug enforcement arms played significant roles in causing the nation's opioid crisis and their current unwillingness to use modern technology to help combat it is "baffling," the head of a D.C.-based technology and health care advocacy group said.
South Florida law firm claims Malibu Media owes more than $280,000 in legal fees
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A South Florida law firm alleges a Beverly Hills media company owes more than $280,000 for an alleged breach of contract.
Iowa court upholds ruling in lawyer's favor in real estate agent's dispute over noncompete clause
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) – An Iowa court has affirmed summary judgment for a lawyer sued over allegations of malpractice in a case over an agreement drafted between two real estate agents.
Delaware high court tosses Uber stockholder's complaint over Ottomotto acquisition
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) – Delaware's high court has affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by an Uber stockholder and former employee over the ride-hailing company's acquisition of Ottomotto LLC.
Expert not qualified to testify in wrongful death case against doctor, Alabama Supreme Court rules
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – After ruling that an expert was not qualified to testify, an Alabama court reversed a previous denial of a doctor’s motion for a judgment as a matter of law in a wrongful death lawsuit against him.
Ninth Circuit says 'Kids Climate Case' has to seek redress through government or voters, not court
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Jan. 17 turned back a lawsuit filed by a group of youth climate activists suing the federal government over alleged inaction on climate change, saying the court lacks jurisdiction in the matter.
Judge: PFAS chemicals aren't 'hazardous' under Pennsylvania law
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Navy has won a key victory in Pennsylvania as a judge recently dismissed a lawsuit over the ubiquitous chemicals known as PFAS after finding they weren’t defined as “hazardous” under the state’s toxic waste statute.
Mississippi court rules plaintiff in medical malpractice case failed to prove doctor deviated from standard of care
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – A woman’s medical malpractice suit failed to prove that her doctor didn’t provide the standard of care needed, a court has ruled.
Jury instructions key to Alabama Supreme Court opinion in medical malpractice case; Verdict affirmed
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – Instructions to a jury in a medical malpractice case were front and center in a recent decision by the Alabama Supreme Court.
After win in New York, Exxon fights to have Massachusetts lawsuit heard in federal court
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – A federal judge in Boston is considering a motion by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey to send her lawsuit, which is similar to one in New York that recently failed, against Exxon back to a commonwealth court.
Feds allege New York real estate developer mishandled asbestos cleanup
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Real estate developer Dover Greens is facing a suit by the federal government alleging it mishandled asbestos cleanup at a project in upstate New York.
EPA sues Fisher Scientific, Sandvik for cleanup costs for New Jersey Superfund site
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – The former operators of a site in New Jersey are being sued by the federal government for cleanup costs spent by the government to abate contamination.
CFPB alleges Monster Loans, others illegally obtained consumer reports to sell fake services
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Monster Loans, Lend Tech and others are facing allegations by The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection of illegally obtaining consumer reports and marketing false student loan debt-relief services.
Ashford Law Group, PC Announces New Contemporary Web Design
Ashford Law Group, PC has launched a new, updated website featuring a modern, user-friendly design.
Why the opioid crisis is being blamed on big pharmacy chains
The plaintiffs don’t seem interested in going after smaller outfits.
Microsoft victory in gender bias lawsuit may not apply to similar cases
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A federal appeals court's decision to uphold denial of class certification in a gender bias case against Microsoft Corp. wasn't striking in its outcome and may not impact similar cases against other tech companies, a Florida-based employers' attorney said.
Lawsuit challenging 'unconstitutional' New Jersey donor law moves forward
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A legal action over a New Jersey statute ordering the disclosure of donors to organizations involved in a wide range of political activities and information-gathering is moving forward with a status conference due to take place next month.
California AG defends cancer label on acrylamide as state Chamber of Commerce challenges
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the California Chamber of Commerce alleging the state's Proposition 65, which requires consumer cancer warnings about exposure to acrylamide and other carcinogens, violates the First Amendment.
Judge issues preliminary injunction for California's newly enacted dialysis reimbursement law
SANTA ANA (Legal Newsline) – A federal court has granted a preliminary injunction against the California's Assembly Bill 290, which regulates and caps dialysis reimbursement, stating there is "significant public interest" in enjoining the law while it is being litigated.
Democrat AGs, activists want Rhode Island's climate change case sent back to state court
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) – A federal appeals court has received a clutch of amicus briefs supporting Rhode Island's belief that its climate change lawsuit against 21 energy companies should be heard in state court - even though the State might have to figure out how to get around state Supreme Court precedent once it gets there.