Michael Carroll News
GOP states: California climate-change lawsuit will jack up energy costs, threatens America's 'basic way of life'
Attorneys general from 19 Republican-led states have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to step in and block California and other Democrat-dominated states from using lawsuits against oil and gas companies to essentially sidestep the federal process and set nationwide energy and climate policies
Business groups express relief as Newsom signs PAGA reforms into law
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed newly passed legislation that aims to reform the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), which business groups have long criticized as a vehicle for rampant lawsuit abuse that offers little in the way of worker protections.
Bonta files lawsuit seeking big payout from oil companies over 'climate change;' Lawsuit driven by left-wing politics, oil companies say
California has filed an amended lawsuit against major oil companies, calling on a state court to strip the companies of profits gleaned through decades of supposedly “false and misleading” marketing claims that have allegedly misled the public about climate-change risks from the common fuels that drive the U.S. economy
California taking a lead role in movement to reject 'excited delirium' from testimony, legal proceedings in police force cases
Civil rights attorneys applauded California’s decision to ban the diagnosis of “excited delirium” – often defined as a drug-induced behavioral state characterized by agitation, aggression and elevated strength – from official proceedings in lawsuits accusing police of excessive force. Police say the change makes officers less safe.
State agency's actions on employee wage theft claims labeled 'grim,' 'inefficient'
The state agency that processes California employees’ wage theft claims against employers has 47,000 backlogged cases, an insufficient number of employers to do its job and only a 12% collection rate against companies, according to a new state audit.
Agricultural company sues labor board, challenges California law protecting farmworkers' union rights
The Wonderful Company has filed a lawsuit against California’s Agricultural Labor Relations Board challenging a law passed two years ago that gives farmworkers additional options to gain union representation and exercise collective bargaining rights.
L.A. Superior Court limits enforcement of California zoning law designed to create more affordable housing
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has invalidated the state’s marquee law to increase the supply of affordable housing in California, finding that the 2021 measure violates the home-rule rights of charter cities.
Restaurant industry critical of state's interpretation of new California law barring 'hidden fees' on goods
Attorney General Rob Bonta has served up an unappetizing interpretation of a new California measure designed to do away with junk fees on goods and services, according to the state’s restaurant industry. Bonta's office has indicated that interpretation could expose restaurants to lawsuits and official enforcement actions.
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit filed on behalf of California children challenging federal climate-change policies
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed on behalf of 18 California children that alleges federal climate-change policies discriminate against minors because the brunt of the resulting health risks will be assumed by children rather than adults.
California drivers can maneuver around rising car insurance rates by being smart consumers, industry observers say
California auto insurance rates rose 7% last year, with low-income residents facing the steepest financial hits, but drivers themselves can take some steps to reduce cost, industry observers say.
Texas-based firm expands patent-infringement litigation to California businesses
A Texas-based company that has filed 46 patent-infringement lawsuits over the past three years filed four such lawsuits in California in April, raising concerns about an expansion of intellectual-property litigation against retailers.
California bill to protect children from social media risks would promote lawsuits, critics say
A California bill that critics say would lead to an avalanche of frivolous lawsuits being filed against social media companies unanimously passed a key California Assembly panel last month.
Disability services group director says PAGA lawsuits are damaging small businesses, nonprofits
A California law that allows individuals to file civil lawsuits against employers to resolve state Labor Code disputes needs to be overhauled this year to end trial-attorney shakedowns of small business and nonprofits, according to a disability services advocate.
Second Amendment rights group sues California over restriction on out-of-state residents carrying guns
A gun owners rights advocacy group has filed a federal lawsuit against California’s attorney general in an effort to challenge a state law that is “unconstitutionally restrictive” and offers no avenue for out-of-state residents in California to carry firearms in public.
Governor restricts legal challenges to L.A. development in push for more housing
Gov. Gavin Newsom is streamlining a major mixed-use development near Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles to speed the building of housing and urban infrastructure, using new state laws aimed at reducing environmental litigation.
Over 75% of claims made in $45.5M Altria e-cigarettes settlement found to be potential fraud; Judge OKs deal
A federal judge has given a final OK to a $45.5 million settlement with Altria over allegations the tobacco firm misled consumers about the addictiveness of Juul e-cigarettes, despite evidence that more than 75% of the filed claims are invalid or fraudulent.
California utility agrees to pay federal government $80 million to resolve wildfire litigation
Southern California Edison will pay $80 million to the federal government to compensate for firefighting costs and property damage resulting from a 2017 fire that charred more than 100,000 acres of National Forest lands in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Federal judge compares litigation about social-media addiction to landmark tobacco lawsuits
A California federal judge who is overseeing multidistrict litigation alleging that social media companies’ platforms lead to addictive behavior among youths has likened these cases to the multibillion-dollar tobacco settlement of 1998.
California sues energy companies over 'climate' problems; 'Kitchen sink' lawsuit a 'political stunt,' industry says
Energy companies say the state's lawsuit is little more than a "meritless, politicized" effort to extract big paydays from oil and gas companies, while accomplishing little to address the alleged problems caused by "climate change"
'Chilling speech of employers in their own business': Pro-union legislation bogs down in Assembly amid criticism
The legislation would bar employers from speaking with their workers about union organizing efforts, and give trial lawyers new powers to sue employers accused of violating the new law for potentially big money damages