News from March 2024
Appeals panel: Local density caps OK'd by voters don't defeat state law allowing denser housing
California appeals judges said Senate Bill 10, which allows cities and counties to approve certain higher-density housing developments, don't violate the state constitution by overriding local voter initiatives setting housing density caps.
New Zealand immigrant claims Stitch Fix discriminated by denying Hawaii remote work request
The lawsuit claims the plaintiff's request to relocate to Hawaii and work under Stitch Fix's alleged "Work Anywhere in the U.S." policy was refused, and her manager pressured her to resign. The lawsuit asserts she was targeted as an immigrant.
Class action claims staffing company Bluecrew violated CA labor law
The lawsuit was filed against Chicago-based Bluecrew on behalf of all of the staffing companies' workers in California.
Board of Trustees Approves 2025 Fee Increase Request
At its meeting March 21–22, the State Bar of California Board of Trustees approved a request for an increase in the 2025 mandatory licensing fee of $125 per active licensee.
Class action accuses Banner Health of allegedly violating California labor law
The lawsuit was filed in Lassen County Superior Court, and is now pending in San Francisco federal court.
Ex-Kimpton Hotels bartender hits hotel chain with PAGA suit, says hotel workers shorted pay
The lawsuit was filed under the Private Attorney General Act, which has drawn criticism and calls for reform because it allegedly allows lawyers to reap windfall fees, while generating relatively little benefits for workers.
Attorney General Bonta Protects California Youth by Taking a Stand Against Intoxicating Hemp Products
California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, along with 20 other attorneys general, sent a letter urging Congress to protect Californians from intoxicating hemp products by updating language of the Farm Bill.
Family of man who died while in jail sues Tulare County
The family of Conrad Madrid, who died in Tulare County jail, has filed a lawsuit against Tulare County, accusing county officials of failing to prevent him from harming himself.
Class action accuses Roadrunner Transportation Services of allegedly violating CA labor laws
Two forklift operators have filed a class action lawsuit against the trucking firm in San Francisco County Superior Court.
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.
Appeal filed after lawyers lose class action against Catalina Crunch
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Class action lawyers won't give up after a federal judge through out their claims Catalina Crunch cereals mislead consumers into thinking their flavors contain those actual ingredients.
Attorney General Bonta Files Lawsuit Against Apple: Smartphone Monopolization has Stifled Innovation, Resulted In Higher Prices for Consumers
California Attorney General Rob Bonta , alongside the U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ), and a bipartisan coalition of 16 states attorneys general, filed a lawsuit challenging Apple’s anticompetitive behavior related to iPhone smartphones.
LA Times accused in class action of placing tracker on website visitors' devices
The parent company of the Los Angeles Times is facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly placing trackers on the devices of people who visit its website, in violation of California state privacy law.
Class action lawsuit accuses Progress Software Corp. over Delta Dental of California database hack
Progress Software Corporation and Delta Dental of California are facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly failing to prevent hackers from accessing private personal information of patients.
California Court of Appeal Affirms Judgment in Stadium Workers' Labor Code §201 Suit
A California Court of Appeal ruled in favor of firm client, the San Francisco Baseball Associates LLC (the San Francisco Giants) in a lawsuit where a plaintiff asserted a novel theory that the Giants failed to immediately pay him “final” wages due at “discharge” – i.e., at the end of every homestand, season, and between-season-events held at the Giants stadium – purportedly in violation of California Labor Code §§ 201 and 203.
The Utility Reform Network calls for relief for California ratepayers
The Utility Reform Network (TURN) has raised concerns about the financial burden on California's ratepayers, who are grappling with "record-breaking bills" that are allegedly pushing families into poverty and homelessness. The organization points out that Californians are dealing with escalating costs for basic necessities such as housing, food, utilities, and insurance.
'De facto invisible': High costs, state rules, lack of online access can block public from monitoring 'public' court proceedings
A settlement has resolved a class action vs federal courts over fees charged to access online court documents. But high costs for certain records and varying court rules about public access to court records in Illinois and elsewhere create a legal patchwork that mostly limits public view into the courts
Woman says Dreamline shower door exploded, injured her while staying at W Hotel
The lawsuit claims at least 15 similar shower doors have shattered at the hotel and injured guests
Business groups, others, ask SCOTUS to force CA courts to abide by earlier SCOTUS decision in PAGA cases
The petition asserts the California courts have issued 'nonsensical' rulings, finding that under the SCOTUS' Viking River decision, California workers who are blocked from suing their employers by arbitration clauses can still sue their employers under California's PAGA law on behalf of coworkers
Class action in SF court accuses Jumio of allegedly violating Illinois biometrics privacy law
The lawsuit marks the latest suit filed against Jumio under the Illinois law, accusing the company of improperly scanning the faces of people signing up for online services to which Jumio provides ID verification services