Employers across Illinois have been put on notice by a recent increase in class action lawsuits brought under the Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA). A federal law instated in 2008, the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) serves as a regulator for the collection and usage of genetic information. Its reach is wide, including prohibitions…
In an interesting development in the world of food advertising, a federal court in New York has dismissed a proposed class action case against two iconic fast food chains, McDonald’s and Wendy’s. The lawsuit alleged that both companies misrepresented the size of their burger toppings and patties in their advertisements, compared to what consumers actually…
In recent news that should provide food for thought for both legal professionals and employers alike, there has been a flurry of employment cases reported from the Eastern District of New York. Statistics now demonstrate that these numbers are higher here than almost anywhere else in the United States. Employers have a legal obligation to…
Legal professionals working in the eyewear sector should be aware of an emerging story. A leading eyewear conglomerate, responsible for globally renowned brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley, finds itself in the crosshairs of an antitrust class action suit. The full details of the matter are still unfolding. According to the initial report by Law.com…
Not many general counsels will declare that their company’s COBRA notice is what keeps them awake at night. Yet, as recent class action litigation reveals, challenges to COBRA notices and issues that present themselves can be simply addressed to evade complex litigation. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) provides employees and their families who lose…
In recent legal news, a former reality TV star raised attention in October 2023, as he began his legal fight to protect his likeness against a technology giant investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI). The case that has become known as Kyland Young v. NeoCortext, Inc. appears to set a distinctive marker, echoing a series…
Earlier this week, the US Supreme Court heard oral argument in Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer, a case that’s been widely discussed in many legal circles. The hearing materializes after months of speculation about whether it would indeed take place, with Laufer urging the Court to dismiss the case as moot following the voluntary dismissal…
PharMerica, a major player in the long-term care pharmacy industry, and its subsidiary Amerita’s Specialty Infusion Services (Amerita) are entangled in class action lawsuits following a significant data breach. The breach was announced via a notification letter sent out to patients on September 5, 2023. Both entities reportedly identified suspicious activity in their networks and…
Renowned audio equipment manufacturer, Sonos, is caught in a products liability class action lawsuit. The case centers around the company’s Arc soundbar, reportedly harboring a defect which users have ominously dubbed the ‘Pop of Death’. This irregular yet jarringly loud sound is said to occur when the system is used in conjunction with Dolby Atmos…
The health care sector’s increasing adoption of pixel technologies has raised concerns among both regulators and the plaintiffs’ class action bar. This digital strategy, used for tracking user activities on mobile apps and websites, is under intense scrutiny to ensure it aligns with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Federal Trade Commission…
Facial recognition technology, a form of biometric identification, is increasingly being utilized in sports venues worldwide. It’s a development prompting both cheers for potential security benefits and jeers from those concerned about privacy and legal implications. With technological advancements coming into play, legal professionals need to be aware of the implications, especially for those representing…
In recent years, there’s been a significant shift in the landscape of legislation with the development of US-style class actions across the UK and Europe. This is a common feature present in the USA legal system for an extended period, now coming into prominence on the other side of the Atlantic. Renowned for its claimant-friendly…
In a recent turn of events, a North Carolina Business Court case, conducted by Judge Adam Conrad, has potentially complicated the process for the settlement of class action lawsuits under North Carolina law. The case at hand, namely Terri Moose vs. Allegacy Federal Credit Union, indicates that what might appear to be a shortcut may…
High profile media personality, Alex Jones, has placed his parent company into bankruptcy to avoid paying pending damages. A dispute has arisen with the company over unpaid salary, with Jones claiming $1.3 million while also seeking bankruptcy protection himself. The company has argued that the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings prevent it from fulfilling his demands. Read…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently rendered a decision deeming that a class action case, which accuses Country Mutual Insurance of improperly amassing and retaining $3.5 billion in fiduciary duties and other legal obligations, should be tried in state court. The appellate court ruled that two exceptions to the Class Action…
A group of five Pennsylvania inmates has recently filed a lawsuit against the state’s Department of Corrections and its employees, according to an announcement from the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project. The lawsuit accuses the Department of causing severe mental health consequences due to the use of solitary confinement in state prisons. The class action lawsuit,…
In a significant development in a benchmark cybersecurity case, a federal class action which had been brought against a Philadelphia labor and employment firm over its 2021 data breach has been mutually dismissed without prejudice. The details emerged from a recent filing in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Given the ever-growing concerns about data security…
San Francisco based law firm, Schneider Wallace, was discontented with the existing case management software on the market, largely attributed to their antiquated operation, inflexibility and better suitability to transactional practices instead of litigation ones. As such, the firm took matters into their own hands, leading to the development of Clarra, a cloud-based case management…
In a recent ruling, the Eastern District of Wisconsin has denied a motion to partially dismiss a class action complaint alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This denial, made on September 21, states that the Do Not Call (DNC) provision of the TCPA extends to text messages. This interpretation marks a significant…
Welcome back to another edition of our roundup, where we review some of the most notable Class Action & MDL cases from Q2 2023. In this period, the legal landscape has seen varied and intriguing developments, from essential oils needing therapy to a confounding library that seems to stagnate, not to mention a particularly ambiguous…
In an unprecedented legal action, six human rights groups have brought forward the first class action against the French state to the Conseil d’État, France’s higher administrative court. The case, heard on Friday, September 28, alleges systematic racial profiling against black and Arab men in the course of police patrols. The petition driving the case…
Recent reports indicate that a partner from Latham & Watkins has decided to join the ranks at Covington & Burling in London. These events unfold amidst a series of talent shuffles within the law industry, noting that Latham had previously witnessed two partner departures within a week earlier this year. However, it’s significant to note…
The D.C. Circuit Court has released a critical decision regarding issue class certification relative to damages claims, spotlighting the necessity for all stipulations of Rule 23 to be met. Often, the certification of damages claims is determined by whether individual issues precede common issues within the context of Federal Rule 23(b)(3). Class plaintiffs who confront…
In a recent ruling, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has insisted on a trial to determine whether an account user of PayPal received adequate notice concerning an agreement to arbitrate putative class claims against the company. The decision underlines the ongoing challenge for businesses in establishing and enforcing clear and effective user agreements that…
Aetna, CVS Health, CVS Pharmacy and associated parties have been served with an antitrust class action this week. The lawsuit accuses CVS Caremark of deliberately restricting independent pharmacies from accessing its network of Medicare Part D beneficiaries unless they agree to pay substantial fees, colloquially referred to as ‘DIR Fees’. This move, considered unprecedented, targets…