News from April 2018
Surviving heirs claim decedent was exposed to asbestos from Owens-Illinois Inc., others' products
SAN FRANCISCO – The surviving heirs of a late man who worked as an insulator allege their decedent's death was caused by asbestos-related injuries.
Property & Casualty Insurance Co. alleges it is entitled to more than $25,000 for workers' comp claim
SAN FRANCISCO – An insurance company is seeking reimbursement for workers' compensation benefits it paid to a catering employee after a collision in San Francisco.
Tire company avoids wrongful death case; Claims stemmed from a separate accident years prior
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The 1st Appellate District Court of California, Division Three affirmed a judgment in favor of the defendants Continental Tire North America and mechanic Chi Tai in a wrongful death case after finding no evidence to connect the defendants' actions and the cause of a deadly traffic accident years after a separate accident occurred.
Zurich American Insurance Co. alleges heating and cooling company breached obligation regarding claim
SAN FRANCISCO – An insurance company alleges a company breached its obligation by failing to defend or indemnify another company regarding a claim.
Differences of opinion in courts over Equal Pay Act heightens likelihood of U.S. Supreme Court review, attorney says
SAN FRANCISCO – Differences of opinion among different federal courts of appeal makes it likely that a dispute over the interpretation of the Equal Pay Act is likely to make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court with a request for a review.
Woman seeks more than $25,000 over San Francisco auto accident
SAN FRANCISCO – A driver is seeking damages from another motorist over a collision in San Francisco.
New case filed against Monsanto over claims Roundup caused cancer mirrors California actions
LOS ANGELES – A new case initially filed in Missouri against Monsanto claiming its herbicide Roundup directly caused cancer mirrors similar ones making their way through the California courts.
Motorcycle driver claims he was struck in San Francisco, seeks damages
SAN FRANCISCO – A motorcycle rider is seeking damages from two individuals relating to a San Francisco collision.
Court agrees abstract ideas like caller ID and call waiting cannot be patented
Five cellular wireless carriers have been granted summary judgment in a patent infringement case for their use of call interrupting and notification services.
Inmate's excessive force lawsuit dismissed due to his mental health
The case against a man accused of excessive force has been closed due to the plaintiff’s instability and mental health issues.
University of California regents not required to investigate off-campus incidents involving students
A judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has granted summary judgment to the Regents of the University of California regarding a sexual assault case.
Court rules in favor of credit reporting agency Clarity in wrongful disclosure claim
Consumer reporting agency Clarity Services, Inc. has been granted summary judgment in a case that alleged it was in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
General Mills seeks dismissal of man's latest trans fat lawsuit
General Mills argues a federal trans fat class-action lawsuit the company faces is “unmistakably” pre-empted because of the passage of a federal statute in late 2015.
Laborers union claims Legend Theatrical failed to pay benefits
A California board of trustees for multiple union trust funds in Northern California filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on April 9, alleging Legend Theatrical owes fringe benefits and refuses to pay the trust nearly $30,000.
Muslim Advocates seek retraction of inflammatory report released by federal government
Attorneys for Muslim Advocates recently filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against the United States departments of Justice and Homeland Security regarding a recent report they claim is another step in President Donald Trump’s” anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant agenda."
Lawsuits accompany backlash to Facebook, Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal
As lawsuits pile up against Facebook and a firm accused of collecting private information from millions of people through a social media app, the president of a legal association wants lawmakers to hold accountable data holders who break privacy laws.
San Francisco attorney faces disbarment by default over three client matters, probation noncompliance
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco attorney Derek William St. Pierre faces disbarment by default following a State Bar of California recommendation after he allegedly violated rules of professional conduct in three client matters and his probation.
As Boulder sues, 15 states - including Colorado - oppose global warming lawsuits
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Two days after local officials in the Boulder, Colo., area filed a lawsuit that attempts to hold large energy companies liable for the alleged effects of global warming, the state’s top lawyer showed that she disagrees with their legal argument by voicing her opposition to similar lawsuits in California.
More than 1,000 alleged violations lead to record $12.5 million fine for oil firm Greka
A state law approved by the governor in 2016 lead to a record-breaking $12.5 million fine levied against Greka Oil & Gas earlier this month following more than 1,000 alleged safety violations at an Orange County oil field.
Customer claims restroom at Lee's Chinese Fast Food was not accessible to wheelchair users
LOS ANGELES – A Santa Monica restaurant is alleged to have denied a customer with disabilities full and equal access to its property because of architectural barriers.