Legal News Articles & Interviews

Los Angeles, CA After an eight-week trial and two days of deliberations, Farmers Group Inc. has been cleared of discrimination and wrongful termination charges. Former California-based insurance agents claimed they were discriminated against for their age and fired to be replaced by younger, ostensibly more productive workers. However, jurors determined that, because the four plaintiffs were independent contractors, Farmers Group did not violate California employment law.

Newark, NJ On May 10, the states of New Mexico and Mississippi joined cancer victims and the U.S. Department of Justice in moving to dismiss the latest LTL bankruptcy petition. The bankruptcy is an essential element of Johnson & Johnson’s $8.9 billion offer to settle all outstanding and future talcum powder lawsuits. Of that $8.9 billion, $400 million is reportedly  to be set aside to settle state consumer protection lawsuits. That is news.

Santa Clara, CA Due to so many hair straightener lawsuits filed since a study found the products linked to certain cancers, a multi-district litigation (MDL) has been established in the Northern District of Illinois to consolidate all hair relaxer lawsuits. Recent complaints also allege the hair relaxer products cause fertility problems. Lawsuits against L’Oreal and other hair relaxer manufacturers have skyrocketed, however Revlon was not officially named in lawsuits because the cosmetic giant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last June – one week before the NHI study was released that triggered hair relaxer litigation.

Kingston, RI A University of Rhode Island study has confirmed that increased PFAS content in blood promotes weight gain and makes it harder to keep a lower body weight after weight loss. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS/PFOA) “forever chemicals” have previously been linked to a variety of health conditions, including cancers, liver disease and thyroid disease. The newly-found connection with obesity effectively doubles the health risks caused by this environmental contaminant.

Chicago, IL The biggest problem after a loved one passes on is how to fulfill their wishes about wealth distribution as outlined in the Will. The named heirs and other interested parties may disagree with the Will, pushing the matter to court. Establishing trusts is a good way of avoiding the probate courts, but disputes still arise, prompting litigation.

Santa Clara, CA Phillips Respironics, manufacturer of CPAP/ BiPAP sleep machines, on May 16 announced test results of its recalled devices. About two weeks previously the company announced it has set aside another $630 million to settle CPAP lawsuits, adding to $1 billion already earmarked to cover the cost of recalling, replacing or repairing millions of its recalled sleep apnea machines.

Evansville, IN On April 17, Sandra Hayes sued Mead Johnson & Company, alleging that the baby formula manufacturer was responsible for injuring Adam Hayes shortly after his birth. The necrotizing enterocolitis lawsuit details baby Adam’s injuries including partial blindness and cerebral palsy brought on by his consumption of Enfamil Premature 24, a cow’s milk-based formula in the days after his early birth.

Chicago, ILAs part of Illinois, Chicago has a diverse healthcare landscape that includes numerous hospitals, clinics, and private practices. The City of Chicago generally has a sufficient medical setup for its residents. However, being such a large and bustling densely-populated economic hub, cases in which people getting injured due to the negligence of medical practitioners are not uncommon.  When medical providers or professionals provide care that falls below the minimum standard of care set by regulators, it constitutes medical negligence. This can cause injury or death to a patient. The United States witnesses 33,333 deaths linked to medical negligence every month. If you live in the Chicago area and are injured in the care of a hospital or medical professional, a Chicago surgical error attorney can help you file a claim for medical negligence damages compensation.

Santa Clara, CA Former Tegria workers have filed a proposed class and collective action claiming the company, which provides consulting and technology services to healthcare clients, failed to pay overtime to consultants who “routinely” worked over 40 hours and often more than 80 hours per week, a violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

San Francisco, CAIn John Ordono et al. v Marriott International Inc., San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ethan P. Schulman has tentatively found that banquet servers were entitled to $8.97 million because reasonable customers might have concluded that mandatory service charges were intended as gratuities. Under California Labor Code 351, gratuities or tips belong to employees, and employers may not take them or deduct any amount from a worker's wages.